What peace to pray for in the Spratlys

When the Filipino American community bid adieu to the officers and crew of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar at Coast Guard Island in Alameda on July 18, 2011, many  of us worried about what would happen to them once they were deployed to the  Spratly Islands to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines. If they faced a  military confrontation with the formidable warships and submarines of China, we were certain they wouldn’t have a prayer.

Many of us were aware of what happened when another Southeast Asian nation attempted to defend its claims to the Spratly Islands. On March 14, 1988, three Vietnamese vessels landed on the Johnson South Reef area of the Paracel Islands in the Spratlys—which Vietnam claims as its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) within the 200 mile radius according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). When they saw a flag of the People’s Republic of China planted on their reef, they removed it. As they did so, China’s battleships  quickly opened fire, and after the smoke cleared, three Vietnamese ships were sunk and 66 Vietnamese sailors were dead.

The March 14, 1988 massacre was filmed by Chinese videographers on board the Chinese naval vessels and shown all over China as an example of what happens to those who dare to challenge China. It is available on YouTube.

Before the del Pilar officers and crew boarded the ship to return to the Philippines, they stood in two lines on each side of us as we walked down the lines to shake their hands. Some even embraced us. I asked them where they were from and they rattled off the names of towns and provinces all over the

Philippines. Most said they dreamed of enlisting and serving in the Philippine Navy, defending the country and their dreams had been realized.

While most of the officers and crew were men, we met three remarkable women on board: Dr. Joanne Cornista, the chief medical officer; Ensign Lolit Gonzales; and Lt. Junior Grade Andrelee Mojica, the damage control officer and the first female valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (Class of 2007). We met the ship’s skipper — Navy Captain Alberto “Abet” Cruz — who clearly enjoyed the

respect of all his officers and crew. I had an engaging discussion with Navy Commander Reynaldo Lopez, the well-read Executive Officer of the ship.

What would happen to all these outstanding individuals — the “crème de la crème” of the Philippine Navy — if they ordered the Chinese Navy to leave Mischief Reef, the military base erected by China only 125 miles from Palawan and within the EEZ of the Philippines?

As we thought about how lopsided a battle with China would be, with high casualties on the Philippine side, it was then that it dawned on us that if those brave men and women of the Philippine Navy don’t have a prayer against China, then that’s what we can offer them, at the very least.

That was the origin of the idea to hold a Day of Prayer for Peace in the Spratlys on Sunday, August 21. Members of the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG), which sponsored simultaneous protest demonstrations in front of all the China consulates in the US on July 8, unanimously adopted the proposal and made plans to hold the prayers for peace in 100 cities throughout the US.

But what kind of peace shall we pray for? Shall we pray for the peace that comes with the victory of the Philippine Navy over China’s armada, for the peace of the Old Testament when God smites the heathens?

The issue provoked a thoughtful Internet discussion and Ted Laguatan offered this wise perspective:

“I believe God does not identify with any nationality or race. He (or She) identifies with all people. I believe He loves the Chinese people as well as the Filipino people which is not the same as saying He loves the bullying policies of the Chinese government. Christ suffered and died for all mankind including

non-Christians.

Since this is a day of prayer for the peaceful settlement of the Spratlys issue, we should also pray for the Chinese people — for their well being and happiness. We should make it clear to the world, to ourselves and to the Chinese people — that we do not consider the Chinese people, whom we wish goodwill, as are our enemies. What we condemn is the bullying, trespassing, oil-grabbing ways of the Chinese government in the same way that we condemn some of our own politicians who are ready to sell out our patrimony for personal gain.

We should also pray that well-meaning Chinese people should try to influence their government to respect the property rights of their neighbors and to cease resorting to bullying tactics which if they succeed — will gain for their country the respect and goodwill of other nations — and mutual cooperation for the prosperity, safety and well being of all.

Aside from asking the Almighty to protect us, to protect our energy and marine resources and thanking Him for His bounty — yes, we should also pray for the Chinese people, who are a part of our family under our Almighty Father. I believe God will be pleased if we do.”

Amen.

Fr. Mark Reburiano, the priest who officiated at the last mass of the BRP del Pilar on US soil on July 17, wrote a Prayer for the Faithful that will be included in Catholic masses throughout the US on August 21:

“We pray for God’s enlightenment for a peaceful and just resolution of the Spratly Islands dispute especially between the governments of the Philippines and China. We pray to the Lord… Lord hear our prayer.”

If you would like to attend a Prayer for Peace in the Spratlys on Sunday, August 21, and would like to know the location of a Spratlys prayer event nearest you, please log on to: epeoplepower.ph or USP4GG.org, or contact Carissa Villacorta, the prayer for peace national coordinator at [email protected] or call (646) 431-3611. If you live in San Francisco, please join us at the parish hall of the Mission Dolores Church (16th and Dolores) at 4PM on Sunday, August

21.

Please pray for Capt. Abet Cruz, Lt. Andrelee Mojica and all the brave officers and crew of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. May God protect them from harm. Amen.

(Please send your comments to [email protected] or mail them to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call 415.334.7800)