In the South China Sea dispute, the Philippines’ brutal hand is testing Beijing MANILA/HONG KONG – In February last year, huddled in the presidential situation room, senior Philippine officials faced a stark choice. Military and intelligence leaders looked on as Coast Guard officers showed photos of what the agency said was a military-grade laser that China had pointed at a Philippine ship in disputed waters days earlier.
Eduardo Ano, the national security adviser and chairman of the South China Sea task force, had to decide whether to release the photos and risk Beijing’s wrath or avoid irritating his giant neighbor.
“The public deserves to know,” the retired general told officials. “Publish the photos.”
