Attention, warmongers: Paracel Islands is not Philippine territory and we have never claimed it. This group of islands and reefs is nearer to China and Vietnam, and they are the two countries that have claims to the Paracels, while we are literally on the other side of the sea. We are so far away from Woody Island, the place where China reportedly landed an H-6K bomber aircraft, that it is outrageous how war-hungry local politicians have been portraying the area as if it was just in our neighborhood. It’s over 1,000 kilometers from the Spratly Islands (where we do have a claim). In sharp contrast, China and Vietnam are just 350 and 400 kilometers away from the Paracel Islands, including Woody, which is the largest island in the Paracels.

Tiglao, G. (2018, May 30). Wannabe Americans want us to declare war vs China. Manila Bulletin, p. 12.