As of this writing (Friday), the standoff in a coastal village in Sabah remains a standoff. As of Friday, an ultimatum was given by the Malaysian authorities to the so-called members of the Royal Security Forces of the sultanate of Sulu to leave town or face forced deportation. We chose to zero in on this burning issue because we are concerned with the outcome of the peace agreement hammered out between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF). While the prospects of a lasting peace in Mindanao is looming large in the horizon with the signing of the Bangsa Moro Framework Agreement, comes this explosive development that makes the quest for a peaceful settlement elusive as ever. Unless the Aquino government chooses to call the Malaysian threat as a bluff, the possibility of a shooting war becomes inevitable. Problem is are we that capable to take on Malaysia militarily? Of course, not.

Not in a country perceived to have a weak military component if arrayed against Malaysia’s. For sure, we are no match to our neighbour’s military might. If so, we might as well forget our territorial claim of Sabah as part of the Philippine archipelago on the basis of the claim of the sultanate of Sulu. For one, we don’t have the muscle to convince Malaysia into giving in to a claim which according to its authorities will not be handed down without putting up a fight. That’s the trouble of a country which has no “balls” literally and figuratively. If only we have the wherewithal to engage Malaysia in a fight to the finish. Perhaps Malaysia will think twice. How long will our neighbour and brother-country of the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (ASEAN) will keep on bulling us, nobody is telling. Malaysia is a powerful country vis-à-vis the Philippines, whether militarily or economically.

Where do we go from here, if that is the reality?

If we have to suggest, we might as well accept the truth, forget our claim and better luck next time.