LONG before the world condemned China because of the pandemic, let’s go back to history. We have our own conflict against the sleeping giant. The condemnation against China for the intrusion of Philippines sovereignty over the islands in the West Philippines Sea is ironic. China has been our long friend and good business partner before the country was colonized by the Western World. Like Spain and America who conquered the country and exploited our resources. It is strange some Filipinos hate China, yet reaping from its economic benefits until now. In fact, many are still practicing Chinese culture, eating Chinese food, and using its products every day. How sad our oldest business partner in Asia is treated as a perfect stranger, while past enemies are treated as special guests. Today, China’s strategic positioning in the west of the Philippines Sea is nothing compared to America’s military bases located in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Guam, Hawaii, and Australia in the Pacific. Many are criticizing and protesting against China’s military buildup in the Philippines Sea, but silent over US bases in the Asian region. Should we continue to despise China and support America who wants to control the world? Does America really care to defend the West Pacific region from the threat of the sleeping giant or has its own interests to protect? Is China really a big threat to regional security? After WW2, the US started military expansion in the Pacific. Today, the US still maintains nearly 800 military bases in more than 70 countries and territories abroad. They are like mushrooms proliferating around the globe. It aims to protect its allies from foreign threats and aggression. However, America is facing a serious threat by both internal and external forces of disgruntled citizens and terrorism. America is no longer a safe haven for its people, so how can Uncle Sam protect its allies from repulsive forces of atrocities. The country should learn from Sabah’s claims. How unfortunate that we lost the case against a small country like Malaysia. However, we gain a good and amicable relationship with this Muslim country over the years. It pays to be a peace-loving people with our Asian neighbors. Our recent case on the Spratly group of islands against China and the rest of Asian countries is a huge challenge with the monumental complexity of the issue. We won the case in the international court, but we lost the island. What is the sanction of the UN against China for not conforming to the decision of high tribunal year after? So far there was none. Should we continue the legal battle or give up the case? Some legal minds urged to pursue the case no matter what, others say it’s enough we won the case anyway. The next step is to persuade China to obey the ruling without ruining our diplomatic relationship. We can’t afford to engage in a war over an idle island anyway. When all measures are exhausted the ability to move on is not being complacent but to be wise. In case you forget, the Philippines has 7,107 beautiful islands to explore.