A MARITIME analyst said that the Philippines must start reducing the economic dependency on China as the harassment in the West Philippine Sea continues.

In the same light, maritime expert Jay Batongbacal said that the Philippines should show to China that the Philippines does not “weaken” nor “waver” in the position in the West Philippine Sea.

“Magkakaroon ng kaunting adjustment at kaunting sakit pero kung maaari ay tiisin natin ang kaunting inconvenience,” he said.

“Sa tingin ko, kapag nakita nila na hindi nila mababago ang stance ng Pilipinas at hindi nila tayo madidivide and conquer ay magbabago ang kanilang isip at ang kanilang pakikitungo sa atin,” he said.

Earlier, in 2019, China has emerged as the Philippines’ top trading partner, export market and import source.

The data from the Board of Investments said that bilateral trade between the two countries before the COVID-19 pandemic was pegged at nearly $50 billion.

Likewise, the overall numbers are being deemed by Batongbacal as high, to which there are several industries — such as mining — where the Philippines is at the losing end of its bargain with China.

“Kuha nang kuha ang Tsina sa atin ng raw materials--nickel para sa semi conductors. Yung iba ginagamit pang gawa ng mga barko at eroplano na ginagamit laban sa atin,” he said.

Batongbacal said that the Philippines can also turn to other bilateral partners to source other goods and commodities to further reduce its reliance on Asia’s largest economy, the analyst said.

“Bakit tayo magpapatakot sa kanila? Ipakita natin sa kanila na maninindigan talaga tayo sa ating mga karapatan,” Batongbacal said.