Anyone whose eyes are drawn to this rusty and ageing ship at Ayungin Shoal would readily think that its occupants are vulnerable to tetanus infection. Keel and hull visibly showing proof of corrosion after many years of neglect, this floating ironclad is a candidate for extinction.
Records disclosed that BRP Sierra Madre (originally USS Harnett County) is a World War II relic. She served the US Navy both in World War II and the Vietnam War. She served the Vietnam Navy before “moving” to the Philippine Navy, which renamed her BRP Sierra Madre. This “old lady” was deliberately run aground in Ayungin (or Second Thomas Shoal) in 1999 for strategic purposes. The book, Rock Solid, penned by Marites Vitug, comprehensively discussed the purpose of the presence on BRP Sierra Madre in one of the islands/shoals in our West Philippine Sea (WPS). Up to this day, this relic serves as an outpost for Filipino troops defending our country from what former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario calls “illegal and oppressive incursions of Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea.” On November 15, Chinese watercrafts blasted two Filipino boats with water cannons and blocked the boats from bringing food and other supplies to the Marine detachment on board BRP Sierra Madre. The water burst being a mere preface, China proceeded with its central act by demanding the removal of BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, claiming territorial rights over it—the same rehearsed line for Mischief Reef and other parts of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Drawn swords yet anew, China has insisted the Philippines should honor its “commitment” of removing BRP Sierra Madre in the area, a pledge that never existed per our Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Fortunately, the presence of this once proud LST (Landing Ship, Tank) has allowed our country to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands. Like a tarnished stray fence, this relic of a ship has practically foiled any attempt by the Chinese to violate our territorial integrity. According to those stationed at the outpost, Chinese watercrafts are common scenes in this part of the West Philippine Sea, just like an edgy mouse waiting for the cat to depart. The recent event at Ayungin was not the first and will not be the last. Iron Man China, with its powerful Navy, will swarm the shoal unless the “rusty men” of the Philippine Marines on board a significantly rusted LST prevent it.
President Duterte unequivocally declared that there will be no abandonment of Ayungin Shoal. But Senator-Presidentiable Panfilo Lacson’s suggestion to “refurbish and reinforce BRP Sierra Madre” can be something worthwhile to consider. Either fortify the vessel itself or support it with another operating Philippine ship. While plans to buttress the country’s sentinel at Ayungin should have been crafted more than a decade ago, the leaders of this country need to come up with a longer vision before Iron Man overpowers our rusty men. The Philippines has been fighting iron with rust, through a “relic,” that is, the BRP Sierra Madre. To me, the issue is not a matter of additional funding as my friends from the Philippine Navy are unanimous in saying that refurbishing the relic is not as important as to enforcing the Arbitral award, not necessarily in military ways. The greater issue is to change our mental orientation and make the long-overdue transformation.
Instead of focusing on the foreign “adversary” as far as claims over the WPS are concerned, we should consider looking how our own iron (strength) is affected by our own rust (weakness). Our country’s sovereignty, the decisiveness of our leaders, assertiveness in defending our territorial claims, and the call to action by ordinary citizens collectively comprise the “iron” within us. They all, however, stand vulnerable to corrosion with our apathy, irresolute resolve, corruption, timidity, and passive attitude, all forming the destructive “rust.” If truth be told, the real enemy might not be China after all, but our own sluggish posture on such a grave threat to our independence and existence as a nation.
President Duterte believes that it is unwise to stage any combat or confrontation with China as far as WPS is concerned. His mindset is not to go to war when you know you will lose! Just by looking at our “military” presence in these disputed islands compared to China, we are simply outmatched and outnumbered but not outfought! With very little outside interaction and supply, a few dedicated Marines have survived years and months of outpost duty on board a rusty ship. As such, the mindset of every Filipino should be focused on raising spears, not to throw at any foreign adversary, but to pierce the “oxides” of ignorance, apathy, indecisiveness, greed and all forms of shameless behavior. Our mentality as a people must be first transformed, that if we are to fight any giant, we must not have a defeatist attitude. We must take a hold of our strong points and manage our Achilles’ heel. Former columnist Arulsamy Thangaraja aptly described the pertinent quote made by the altruistic industrialist Ratan Tata: “Just like iron cannot be destroyed by anything other than its own rust, so also it is our own attitude that can make or destroy us. More than enemies outside, we will have to first battle the more dangerous inner enemies of hopelessness, negativity, conceit, greed, lust and despair to become a fuller and more successful person.”
As a repository of truths, the Bible mentioned some game-changing doctrines when it comes to renewing of minds, in particular, Romans 12:2 which states: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I was taught that our patterns can be changed by, among other things, rejecting the patterns and routines that the world promotes as desirable and live with a heart for God by serving others. Our leaders in government, now and in the future, can have a renewed mind if they spend time in prayer, read the scripture, and, more importantly, serve others before themselves. This coming election, let’s focus on the extent of the “renewal” of the minds of our God-fearing candidates. It is easy for any candidate to proclaim his “Maka-Diyos” position in any issue. So I urge voters to look beyond the words but more on his actions.
More than inviting our attention to foreign invasion or territorial grab, this rusty relic ship summons all of us, leaders in particular, to take the much-needed action of renewing our focus. After all, it may be the rust from within us and not the iron from the outside that we should be guarding against.
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.