Missiles aimed at Taiwan in Batanes

In Batanes, the United States deployed missiles during the last Balikatan exercises in April: the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which reportedly remains in the country. Our government welcomed the deployment, saying it would help protect the Philippines from attack. But would it? Or might it instead invite attack?

The missile system in Batanes is aimed at the sea lanes around Taiwan. Analysts say the US likely placed it there to protect Taiwan from Chinese invasion. China has promised to “reunite” Taiwan with the mainland, by force if nothing else works.

What is disturbing, though, is that the Balikatan exercises were supposed to help the Philippines, not Taiwan. If China does invade the “renegade province” of Taiwan, it might want to take out the missile system in Batanes as we might be dragged into a war we never talked about.

Suddenly, we might have an aggressive neighbor right next door. Our allies—Japan, South Korea, and the US would hopefully back us up. It would also affirm our friendship with a democratic country that employs many of our overseas Filipino workers.

We could ask the US to put their missile system somewhere else, showing that they are here to defend the Philippines and not Taiwan. Perhaps China would treat us with more respect. We would also avoid getting dragged into a war between China and Taiwan, and we would not anger our major trading partner.

We should not be a pawn in moves to counter China, not until the nation has an informed public discussion about it.