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intently into the scope, the possibility that it might be a Philippine naval vessel crept into his thoughts.  But he suppressed the tiny kernel of hope that he felt germ i nating in his chest.  The Philippine navy is a navy in name only.  Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas , literally, ‘Sea Force of the Philippines .’   What force? he thought.
    With only two truly capable ships in its ‘navy ,’ it is little more than an insect on the hide of the elephant that is the People’s Republic of China. 
    Aboard BRP Rajah Humabon , the communications officer handed the message from headquarters to Captain Santos.
    “You are to shadow the Chinese frigate, but do not engage –re peat, do not engage.”  Santos smiled ruefully.  Engage with what? he thought to himself.  His elderly craft had nothing more powerful than older model 3” guns and would simply provide target practice for the modern Chinese ships which had anti-ship missiles in addition to their radar-guided guns. 
    “Lieutenant Cruz, maintain heading to the nearest fishing vessel.”  The captain then toggled the switch that would allow the bridge to hear all co m munications on the current frequency.  He was greeted by a loud burst of static, followed by a voice that was clearly coming from the Chinese warship.
    “Philippine warship; you are entering waters of the People’s Republic of China.  You are instructed to come about 180 degrees and withdraw.  Do you copy?”  The fact that the Chinese warship was so arrogant as to not even bother to identify itself in the accepted manner was not lost on captain Santos. 
    With a resolve tinged with trepidation, the captain replied:  “Chinese warship, this is BRP Rajah Humabon of the Philippine Navy.  We are cu r rently in international waters.”  Toggling off his microphone, he turned to his communications officer and said:  “Contact headquarters.  Advise them that we are being hailed and have been ordered to withdraw.”  The look on the face of the communications officer clearly betrayed the fear that he struggled to conceal.
    “Philippine warship, I repeat, you have entered waters of the People’s Republic of China.  You are ordered to come about 180 degrees and wit h draw.  Do you copy?”
    His anger rising, the Philippine captain swallowed bile as he stifled the urge to tell the Chinese voice to go to hell.  “Unidentified Chinese warship, this is BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11) of the Philippine Navy.  I repeat, we are currently in international waters.”
    Two minutes later, the scream of a 100mm shell followed by a geyser of seawater two hundred yards in front of the Philippine vessel announced the reply of the Chinese warship.
    “Communications!” said the captain, careful not to betray fear in front of his officers.  “Notify headquarters that they have fired across our bow!” 
     
    ******
     
    Admiral Francisco Victoriano had hurriedly dressed when the first call had reached Jose Andrada Naval Station in Manila.  He was pulling into the parking lot when news that the Chinese frigate had opened fire reached the base.  The officer of the watch turned when he heard the admiral’s heavy footsteps behind him.
    “Admiral,” he said.  “The Chinese have fired a second shot across Captain Santos’ bow, Sir!”
    “Get him on the radio, Lieutenant,” ordered the admiral.
    “I can’t, Sir,” replied the lieutenant.
    “Why the hell not?” bellowed the admiral.
    “Because he doesn’t answer, Sir.”

6
     
     
     
    March 10 th   2013 – 08 00 – Seahorse S hoal – Spratly Islands – So. China Sea
     
    The search had begun before dawn when the Philippine Navy’s most recent acquisition, the former US Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, now named Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) left Cavite Naval Base.  Ironically, though her young sailors had never seen combat in the South China Sea, their cutter had, having served off the coast of Viet Nam.
    There was