An Independence
Day challenge

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The celebration of Independence Day yesterday was probably more significant that most citizens of this country had realized.

This was because, on the very eve of the special day in our history, when our leaders, who were then engaged in a protracted revolutionary war against an intrusion of the Spanish conquistadores, who had appropriated our country as their colony in the Orient, we are again confronted by a sovereignty issue involving a group of islands that is now a bone of contention among several countries, one of them the Philippines.

These are the Spratlys Islands which the Philippines, China, Brunei, and Malaysia all claim to be part of their territory. Over the years, there did not seem to be too much attention on this area, although talks were rife about the possibility that there are deposits of oil and gas there. Lately, it seems that China has been trying to figuratively get a foot in the door before all the other claimants, by putting up structures and ignoring the apprehension of the others.

Now incidents are indicating the intentions of that country when it started questioning the moves of our own people who believe that the Philippines even has a stronger claim if only because of proximity, being nearer the Spratlys.

Add to this the recent bellicose and overbearing statements of its ambassador who, in blatant language, declared that his country has always considered the Spratlys part of its territory and virtually warning off all other claimants, foremost of which is the Philippines, to keep away.

How our present administration will resolve this is the one big challenge posed to it yesterday, our 113th Independence Day.*