To the editor:

Having lived and traveled extensively in the Philippines for more than eight years, I came to love the nation and its people.

It is certainly one of the best allies we have had, and the friendship between our two countries has been an enduring one.

However, the decision of the Obama administration to possibly support the Philippines during that nation’s personal crisis with China over the Spratly Islands must not be taken lightly.

Filipinos and Americans fought side by side during World War II with a common cause — to stop the aggression of an imperialist country. Since that time, we have maintained a mutual defense agreement to come to one another’s aid if they attacked.

I agree with this principle of mutual defense, but one must understand the Philippines is not about to be attacked. Instead, this is a case in which that nation is involved in a dispute over the mineral-rich Spratly Islands with China.

In other words, it’s really none of our business, and I see no reason for our country to risk a confrontation with China over this Philippine issue.

Should we be so quick and eager to put our young men and women in harm’s way?

That we have an increased presence in Asia makes good sense, but to make what many might consider a direct threat to China over a Filipino enrichment endeavor seems a bit absurd to me.

God bless and protect the Philippines and its wonderful people, but the Spratly Islands situation is a Filipino problem, not an American one. I also pray to God that our leaders in Washington, D.C., will approach this a lot more carefully before risking what might lead to a major conflict for the wrong reasons.

The United States has always backed its allies but let’s be sure it’s for the right reasons.

God bless America.

Ed Fancher

Vietnam veteran

Suffolk