Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez urged the government to convene the National Security Council (NSC) immediately amid reports that the US Navy will send warships to conduct Freedom of Navigation Patrols within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea.
“We should assess the various implications of the possible consequences if the US would go in if China would resist for example then that would result in a very dangerous showdown and face off,” said Golez.
Related: U.S. to send warships to South China Sea – report
According to him, China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea is an urgent concern that needs to be addressed immediately by the government, as the militarization of the artificial islands would alter the balance of power in the South China Sea to the detriment of the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The most crucial areas that must be monitored are Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, which is very close to the Philippines’ Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Group of Islands, and Mischief Reef which is inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone close to Palawan.
Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs have been reportedly constructed with three-kilometer long runways that can accommodate all the aircraft in the inventory of China’s air force such as fighters, bombers, transport and surveillance planes.
If the United States will not intervene, Golez said there will certainly be a huge conflict in the region’s geopolitical situation.
He added that other countries in the Asia Pacific are now beefing up their military in terms of land, sea and air assets and hardwares.
Related: China ‘brazenly lying’ about activities in West PH Sea, says Golez
Japan has recently purchased more than 70 of fighter jets from the US. India has acquired a modern warship, while Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam have also upgraded their military.
The Philippines, he said, is still vouching for “diplomacy” and has failed to improve on its military’s capacity.
Golez added that China’s aggressive behavior is a matter of grave security, hence, it is high time for the NSC to convene.
The NSC includes the president, the vice president, the executive secretary, Defense officials, other top agency officials, advisers and consultants that the president would want to involve.
Related: Probe Chinese reclamation in West PH Sea, Golez tells UN
Golez said President Benigno Aquino III has never convened the NSC in the past six years. While former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has convened the National Security Council thrice in her term to address crucial security concerns like the Abu Sayyaf Group in Mindanao and even global security threats like the conflict in Iraq.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a statement on the matter Tuesday (October 13), reiterating the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
The DFA also said that if the US pushes through with its navigation operations in the South China Sea, it would be consistent with international law and a rules-based order for the region.
