Asian Wisconzine Section/Heidi M. Pascual
Pro-China Politicians Divide the Philippines
“Let’s give it to China; it’s just water!” says former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte referring to portions of South China Sea that are within the Philippine Economic Zone. Duterte also ignored the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in July 2016 favoring the claim of The Philippines, saying it’s just a piece of paper that should be thrown into a garbage bin.
As a Filipino, I can only say that Duterte is truly Pro-China and that his stance is that of an unpatriotic Filipino who is willing to surrender the Philippines’ sovereignty to China, the country that subjugates many poor nations economically. I can only wonder how much China has contributed and continues to contribute to Duterte’s and many other politicians’ campaign funds and their areas’ so-called economic development. It is no secret that China is notorious for being so generous in “treating” politicians and media practitioners via free trips and accommodations to Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as lining their pockets.
This column would like to focus on why the Philippines sought a ruling from this Tribunal concerning historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea. The action was a result of China’s large-scale land reclamation and construction of artificial islands and fishing activities that have harmed the marine environment within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Many of such islands have been militarized by China complete with airstrips and ports ready for “war.”
It’s saddening to note that so many Filipinos still don’t know the implication of China’s actions and the fact that former president Rodrigo Duterte and his close friends in authority are very active in criticizing President Bongbong Marcos, the United States and our Western Allies.
During the administration of the late President Noynoy Aquino, the Philippines sought a ruling on:
- The rights and obligations of Parties in the South China Sea, and the effect of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) on China’s claims to historic rights within its so-called “nine-dash line.”
- On whether certain maritime features claimed by both China and the Philippines are properly characterized as islands, rocks, low-tide elevations or submerged banks under the Convention. The status of these features under the Convention determines the maritime zones they are capable of generating.
- Whether certain Chinese actions in the South China Sea have violated the Convention, by interfering with the exercise of the Philippines’ sovereign rights and freedoms under the Convention or through construction and fishing activities that have harmed the marine environment.
- Certain actions taken by China, in particular its large-scale land reclamation and construction of artificial islands in the Spratly Islands since this arbitration was commenced, have unlawfully aggravated and extended the Parties’ dispute.
China didn’t participate in the arbitral proceedings, adhered to the position that it doesn’t accept the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and continues to harass Filipino fishermen, Coast Guards, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources boats in their regular activities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
When Bongbong Marcos Jr. was elected president of the Philippines in 2022, he refused to maintain Duterte’s questionable friendship with China as regards the South China Sea. Marcos rightfully reached out to Western allies, especially the United States, to build the Philippines’ military strength in defense of our borders, which wasn’t given priority during the Duterte administration.
Friendly military exercises are being conducted by Western allies several times in the South China Sea, and several countries, aside from the United States, have taken the Philippines’ side in this dispute. Everyone of them agrees there must be order and China must subject itself to international law. Unilateral decisions such as China’s insistence on “owning” most of the South China Sea, must be dealt with accordingly. While most nations do not want war, the Philippines will never allow China to subjugate us. Marcos Jr. reiterated his stand on this matter when he spoke recently at the Australian legislature, that he won’t allow even an inch of our country to be taken away from us.
Pro-China politicians, such as the Duterte clan, and Duterte’s supporters in the Philippine Senate publicly announce their “love of country,“ but openly and publicly oppose the presence of the United States military via the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines, and the offers of Western allies to supply modern armaments and naval necessities.
They divide our country instead of helping unite our people to defend the Philippines in case of war. Their personal loyalty belongs to China because of the “funding assistance” and “sister-city relationships” that, through the years, lined their pockets and their cities’ development.
China’s debt-trap foreign policy proves effective in Third-World countries with corrupt officials in positions of power. I pray that our country does not completely fall into this trap under President Marcos Jr.’s watch.
