SO MUCH an outcry is raised in the land relating to the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat upon collision with a Chinese vessel. And the claim that the Filipino fishermen were left stranded and floating.
We know not exactly where the collision impacted. Nor the type, kind and ownership of the adverse Chinese vessel involved. And most important, how?
With these vital questions unanswered, skimpy scenarios unverified should not be the basis for wild, ridiculous and irresponsible statements inciting and agitating for trouble. Against China…a sleeping giant now fully awake and on an obsessed rampaging drive to become the World Power.
But when the collision took place in international waters beyond the territorial limits of our archipelago involving a foreign vessel, this is an entirely different manner which requires intervention or investigations of specific governmental agencies…like the Maritime Industry Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, etc. to determine the applicable international law on the matter.
President Duterte is just a practical man and real. We are a Third World country, listed as one of the most corrupt countries in the world and one of the worst places to be working in. We are still mired in an agricultural state despite many intellectually gifted Filipinos and professionals…who, sadly, leave for abroad to find a better life.
Militarily, forget it…our armed forces cannot carry on a war of attrition with any foreign country…much more China.
The prudent course, as has been done, is to register a diplomatic protest before the family of nations and hopefully secure relief there. But then, that is as far as we can go because China, with its new clout, respects no nation nor recognizes any law save its own. And there is nothing we can do about it.
Of course, there is America, upon whom all oppressed nations look up to for deliverance…that was yesterday. America today under Mr. Trump dissociates itself from involvement in overseas conflicts; withdraws from unproductive alliances especially with impoverished countries where it can hardly expect anything like the Philippines.
We have a Mutual Defense Treaty but what of it if America does not enforce it? And why should they? We kicked them out of the Philippines, remember? Why do we need them now to patrol that godforsaken Scarborough shoals where marginal fishermen make a living without paying any taxes and whose land area varies depending upon the high and low tides?
It is good music to hear about love of country and dying for it; displaying placards maligning China. But the cold reality is that there is nothing we can do in that part of the archipelago…because in the wrong run China will win.
The best that President Duterte is doing is to tone down the sea mishap and settle if possible.
But war is not an option. The countries at war always lose in the struggle. There will be needless deaths…homicide, in the case of Filipinos and insecticide in the case of the Chinese. And worse, having more money, the Chinaman will lost more money…and that is a horrible thought for a Chinese to contemplate. Losing money is a tragedy for a Chinaman.
So relax, stop beating the war drums…go out and have a Light beer and just file a Total Loss insurance claim with the insurance company.
Let us live in peace with the Chinese because they are here to stay. Chinese are good people, friendly and easy to get along with…just keep your hands off their pockets!/PN
