To Take A Stand
By Rafael M. Alunan III
After three years, we need to undo, trash, and reset relations with China. Trust, sincerity, mutuality and reciprocity must define it. There’s a clear observable pattern of imperial abuse and coercion by China reported in media.
IN THE WEST PH SEA:
• swarms of maritime militia backed by its Coast Guard and Navy at Pagasa;
• the ramming of our fishing vessel in Recto Bank;
• the presence of Coast Guard vessels off Ayungin;
• the repeated incursions into territorial waters in Tawi-Tawi;
• the suspicious presence of vessels patrolling Turtle Islands;
• the suspicious presence of research vessels also in Benham Rise; and,
• the refusal to accept the UN award of Benham Rise to the Philippines.
ON LAND:
• the control of our electric grid and communications systems
• the POGO swarm — locations and labor — beside military camps;
• firmly entrenched triads in the drug business;
• the dummy fronted mining firms overlooking our SLOCs (sea lines of communications);
• swarms of illegals violating all kinds of laws and rules nationwide;
• arrogant and rude behavior like they own us; and,
• using corrupt practices to buy access, impunity and protection.
IN RECENT HISTORY:
• seized control of Mischief Reef, reclaimed it and built a military base;
• wrested control of Scarborough;
• stopped tourism flows and imports after the Arbitral ruling was released;
• repeated destruction of giant clams habitat, coral reefs;
• non-stop poaching in the West Philippine Sea;
• widespread dredging and black sand mining; and
• obstructing free passage and fishing in our exclusive economic zone.
When a country does all that, does it take a rocket scientist to figure out what its intentions are, whether those are the acts of a friend or foe? Last week, an irritated President Rodrigo R. Duterte (PRRD) ordered all foreign ships to obtain prior permission or we’d be constrained to “enforce in an unfriendly manner.” Despite that, powerhouse China continues to do what it pleases and seems to be uncaring about a reversal in our relations. It’s now time to tough it out and that’s why he’s where he is.
PRRD said three years ago that, at the proper time, he’ll raise the Arbitral ruling before Chinese authorities. China had three years to reciprocate our sincerity, honesty, and respect for our declared-independent foreign policy of “friend to all, enemy to none” but that was taken for granted. Well, three years of patronizing behavior is sufficient to reach an informed assessment and opens the door for necessary adjustments midway through his term. It doesn’t close the door to diplomacy but the experience now invites a push back.
In my case, I’ve been hands-on since 2012 in piloting my own journey against China’s abusive behavior, going from bellicose to diplomatic to a blend of both depending on the situation. It’s because I go with the flow in mirroring the incumbent administration’s approach to the China problem. There have been a few times though when I broke ranks with what the administration thought was best which didn’t fit what my heart said.
I try my best to absorb what’s going on, interpret what it means, and see where it could bring the nation. There’s no doubt that despite the divergent approaches taken by the previous and present administrations in their dealings with China, treachery is off the table. Our leaders are not traitors. Their appreciation of the information available to them, and the vision they have for the country, shapes the ways and means they opt for to improve relations or stand firm in the national interest.
It’s in our national interest to be friends to all and enemy to none. But that requires sincerity, mutuality, and reciprocity. It’s been obvious — perhaps because of the time when we worked together in the past, and a having front row seat these past four years observing him and gaining insights — that PRRD has been demonstrating goodwill, prudence, and circumspection from the start. Unhappily, imperial China hasn’t returned the favor, leading to PRRD’s increasingly hard stance today.
I’ve said time and again that the conduct of international relations is tricky given the quantum of issues and concerns impinging on the national interests of both our countries. It’s a non-stop wild ride aboard a monstrous roller coaster, complete with twists and turns, ups and downs, and loop the loops. We need to sit tight, hang tough, and reach the finish line. That’s where you and I are now, in the middle of that wild ride, mustering all the courage to pull through and reach a happy ending.
But when diplomacy isn’t working or is being ignored, stomp our feet and pound the table to be felt and heard. Don’t be afraid to push back. In honor of our past, present and future national heroes, let me end with this stirring speech of President Manuel L. Quezon:
“My fellow citizens, there is one thought I always want you to bear in mind: and that is that you are Filipinos. That the Philippines are your country and the only country God has given you. That you must keep it for yourselves, for your children and your children’s children until the world is no more. You must live for it and die for it if necessary.
“Your country is a great country. It has a great past and a great future. The Philippines of yesterday are consecrated by the sacrifices of lives and treasure of your patriots, martyrs and soldiers. The Philippines of today are honored by the wholehearted devotion to the cause of unselfish and courageous statesmen.
“The Philippines of tomorrow will be the country of plenty, of happiness and of freedom. A Philippines with her head raised in the midst of the West Pacific, mistress of her own destiny, holding in her hand the torch of freedom and democracy. A republic of virtuous and righteous men and women all working together for a better world than the one we have at present.”
Rafael M. Alunan III currently chairs the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations.
