RED ALERT

Dateline MANILA. June 11, 2009 Beyond the borders of the Philippine archipelago, way up in the swiss alps of Geneva, Switzerland, The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert to phase 6, the topmost level in its six point scale, WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan announced. "This means the world is moving into the early days of its first influenza pandemic in the 21st century," Chan told reporters.

Dailies in Manila carried the story of a pre-dawn chase by police that led to the killing of four suspected members of a kidnapping gang in Paranaque. One story was of an alert, the other was of a killing. Both spoke of death.

Unknown to all, a Chinese submarine collided with an underwater sonar array towed by the destroyer USS John S. McCain off the coast of the Philippines. The array, used to locate underwater sounds, was damaged in the incident, but the US military official said the sub and ship did not collide.

There are disturbing reports that claim this incident happened in Philippine territorial waters off Subic Bay. Both the Chinese submarine and the US destroyer did not have permission to be inside Philippine waters. An unnamed Filipino naval officer said the incident took place inside the area of responsibility of the navy station at Poro Point in La Union.

If this is correct, it is surprising that the Philippine government had not lodged any formal investigation into this alleged intrusion into Philippine territorial waters by both the US destroyer and the Chinese submarine. The Philippines and China have been claiming the Spratly Islands for quite some time. There was a time that the Chinese even erected structures on the island to reinforce their claim.

Only a few weeks back, we had some senators who were all over themselves trying to grab as much media exposure over the Hayden Kho – Katrina Halili brouhaha. I wonder why they were not as enthusiastic in their aid of legislation with regard to upholding Philippine sovereignty.

It is no surprise to find US naval ships inside Philippine territorial waters. But to find a Chinese submarine is alarming. The USS John McCain was towing an underwater sonar array, used to map the ocean floor, among other things. So for them to say that they did not to see the submarine is totally absurd. Let alone catch it.

The US and China’s military are playing the dangerous game of cat and mouse, one that the US and the USSR played during the cold war. What should worry us is that they are playing in our back yard – without our knowledge or permission. I shudder to think of the possible consequences should these two nuclear powered military vessels collided within close proximity to Olongapo city.

This incident, which no one wishes to acknowledge, should be a wake-up call to our government officials, to at least remind both superpowers to do their military posturing elsewhere.

But since elections for 2010 is fast approaching, I think our politicians are more interested in getting (re)elected rather than serving the interests of the people they seek to serve.