Amidst the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a recent incident has cast a shadow of war as water cannons were turned on a Philippine Navy ship. Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner has left no room for doubt, stating that such an attack, even with water cannons, should be seen as “aggressive actions against a military ship and that could be interpreted as an act of war already.”

The Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) provocative actions during a resupply mission for a Marine outpost in Ayungin Shoal only added fuel to the fire. As Brawner revealed, the CCG’s maneuvers were carefully calculated to stay below the threshold of outright conflict. By opting to harass Filipino civilian vessels with their coast guard instead of their navy, China played a dangerous game in the gray zone of aggression.

Brawner’s insights shed light on China’s strategic approach: using their Coast Guard as a means to push boundaries without crossing the line into formal warfare. This calculated strategy keeps tensions simmering, but the threat of a direct military confrontation remains just below the surface.

Gen. Brawner’s announcement that the military plans to deploy maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea introduces another layer to the escalating situation. These militia members will work alongside fisherfolk, not only safeguarding their livelihood but potentially adding yet another flashpoint in the region.

Amid this turmoil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s call for joint efforts to defuse tensions seems like a gaslighting attempt. The Philippines has repeatedly been at the receiving end of China’s escalating aggression, from territorial disputes to the grounding of a warship to assert its sovereignty.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s unexpected pivot to discussing the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) amid these tensions raised eyebrows. A move that seems like a departure from his historically China-friendly stance, it raises questions about the administration’s commitment to defending the nation in the face of these growing challenges.

As tensions continue to escalate in the South China Sea, the waters remain turbulent, and the region’s geopolitical landscape remains fraught with uncertainty. With China’s actions and statements clashing with those of the Philippines, the situation remains a tightrope walk on the brink of potential conflict.