Hand-to-hand combat against foreign troops to defend Spratly’s, why not? – Esperon

By Ronron
March 17, 2008

Conceding that indeed, the Philippines does not have the military capability to match that of China or other territories that lay claim on the Kalayaan Group of Islands or the Spratly’s off Palawan province in the eastern part of the country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. on Monday went on to boast only of the Filipino soldiers’ determination to fight.

“We may not have the chance (to win in a war with other claimant countries) but that does not mean that the soldiers are not willing to go to fight for the country,” Esperon told reporters in Baguio City where he is to attend Tuesday’s graduation at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

“If it will be down to a hand-to-hand combat, why not?” he continued.

Esperon was asked of his view on defending the Spratly’s in the light of the controversy brought about by the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) of private firms of the Philippines, Vietnam and China.

Esperon reiterated that as a military man, he is for the diplomatic means of addressing the issue concerning the Spratly’s not only because it is a more civilized approach, but also because a war might place the Philippines in the losing end.

“We can go to war. We can still go to war. But the next question is, can we win? Do we have the capabilities?” he said.

Esperon said a fight over the Kalayaan Group of Islands “would need some capital ships and fighter aircraft,” which “we don’t have.” It can be recalled that the AFP decommissioned its F5 fighter planes in October 2005.

“So if there are other ways, we will do it not by war,” he said.

Esperon said that there are about 60 AFP elements securing eight islands in the Spratly’s as of now.

The Spratly’s, believed to be rich in mineral and oil resources aside from marine resources, is being claimed wholly or partially by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China and Malaysia./DMS