Choices amid the chaos of war - Manila Standard

IRAN has granted safe passage to ships bearing the Philippine flags passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also assured our leaders of the unimpeded delivery of fertilizer and oil to the Philippines.

Notwithstanding these diplomatic wins amid the Middle East crisis, the Philippines, being a small, fuel-importing country, saw a fresh round of oil price increases this week.

The Philippine government, while initially refusing -- and wrongly so -- to call the situation a crisis, has made some decisive moves to ease the war's effects on Filipinos. Foremost, it has helped repatriate overseas Filipino workers trapped in sensitive places in the Middle East, bringing them to safety. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order declaring a State of National Energy Emergency. EO 110 authorizes the Department of Energy to adopt measures to make the Philippines resilient amid the fuel crisis.

Already, the Energy Department has acquired supply from Russia, with deliveries from other countries being finalized or discussed. Funds to the tune of P20 billion have also been allotted for oil procurement.

But how desperate are we, really, in ensuring the supply of oil and making its prices affordable for many?

In recent days there has been talk of conducting joint oil explorations with China in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with Bloomberg last month, President Marcos said Beijing and Manila could reach an agreement on joint cooperation , with "initial exchanges" already being made.

But such ventures could be dangerous. China has been even more relentless in its aggressive acts in the WPS, flexing its military might, threatening our soldiers and fisherfolk, and blatantly ignoring international law. Specifically, the month of March saw a record number of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels seen in what has been adjudged by the Permanent Court of Arbitration as Philippine territory.

Indeed this war is hitting closer and closer to home. Beyond its impact on the livelihood of OFWs and on the price of fuel and of basic goods, now it is forcing us to suspend our assertion of our sovereignty as we talk with China for the possible joint exploration.

Is not good faith a requisite in such agreements? Do not the evident need of the Philippines for new sources of energy on the one hand, and China's unabashed interest in our waters on the other, show that economic considerations could put on an unequal footing with a giant that claims to be a friend but acts in a hostile manner where it matters?

We trust our leaders could help define boundaries and balance our need against our dignity.

In the meantime, we can only hope that our traditional ally, the United States, could inject greater sensitivity, more care, and less ego into its decisions. It appears that the whims of one man is shaping the fate of the world. With the sophistication of the 21st century and the lessons we should have learned from previous tragedies, how are we still letting this happen?