How about you, don't you care about the Filipino fishermen?
So what if the Filipino elites don't care about our fishermen? They are just about one percent of the population.
The
remaining 99% among us, whether we care or not, we are adversely
affected by the Chinese prohibition of fishing by Filipino fishermen in
the disputed areas within our EEZ. Prices of fish rose in the local
market owing to reduce fish supply from the Chinese ban on Filipino
fishermen, in our own EEZ recognized by the international community. Big
ayungin fish is liked by many among us who are familiar with it, but it
is now gone in the local market since China prohibited fishing by our
fishermen in Ayungin shoal.
What
you believe or not is irrelevant because nations--let alone
China--don't listen to you. The Philippines has to anticipate and react
to what China and other nations actually think and intend to do, not by
what you believe.
Both
China and the Philippines agreed to leave Panatag shoal during PNoy's
time. The Philippines dutifully left but China did not! Is this the kind
of country we should trust to honor any agreements we may enter into
with it?
If
we claimed the Spratlys and took possession of it, we were the first
to do so. Had we not done that, China would have eventually done it and
claimed as EEZ the surrounding sea, overlapping our own EEZ, resulting
in unavoidable differences and much bigger problem for the Philippines.
Is that what you want?
Mar Tecson
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2017 1:55 PM
Subject: [MOONGLOWPLANET] Re: [Worldwide-Filipino-Alliance] Re: How About Acts of Filipino Honesty and Integrity?
FILIPINO ELITES HARDLY CARE
ABOUT FILIPINO FISHERMEN
FISHING IN THE SEA OR ENDING AS
SHARK FEED. NEITHER DO THEY
CARE IF WHITE AMERICANS TOOK
OVER SCARBOROUGH SHOAL AND
ESTABLISHED A MILITARY FACILITY
THERE. AS LONG AS YELLOW
CHINESE ARE OUT OF THERE,
AMERICAN MACABEBE SCOUTS
WILL BE HAPPY. THIS IS FILIPINO
ELITES' UNSPOKEN VISION OF
HAPPINESS AND TRANQUILITY IN
PARADISE.
I AM IN FAVOR OF BILATERAL AND
MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT OF
RESOURCES IN INTERNATIONAL
WATERS INCLUDING EEZ'S AND
THE SPRATLYS. AM OPPOSED TO
PROPRIETARY OWNERSHIP OF
NATURAL RESOURCES IN LAND,
SEA, AND AIR. AM OPPOSED TO
PHILIPPINE ANNEXATION OF THE
SPRATLYS AS PART OF PHILIPPINE
TERRITORY AND BEGGING THE
U.S. MILITARY TO KEEP ASIAN
NEIGHBORS AWAY FROM OUR
ROCKS. MATAPANG ANG APOG,
MAHINA NAMAN ANG TUHOD.
AM IN FAVOR OF DEMILITARIZATION
OF THE ASIA PACIFIC BY ALL
FOREIGN MILITARY FORCES AS A
NUCLEAR WEAPONS-FREE ZONE.
AM IN FAVOR OF ASIAN COUNTRIES
PEACEFULLY SETTLE ALL
DISPUTES WITHOUT IMPERIAL
WHITE MONKEY INTERFERENCE.
NO MORE PCA MONKEY BUSINESS.
ALLAN T.
So,
you are in favor of China staying permanently in the Philippine EEZ
area and preventing Filipino fishermen from fishing there?
(When
China prevented Filipino fishermen from fishing in the Ayungin shoal,
the supply of ayungin fish (lukaok in Tagalog) stopped in a local market
I know.)
How about a show of
Filipino honesty and integrity?
Filipino elite positions on
the SCS are characterized by parochialism and proprietarism. “That rock is
mine. God gave that rock to me.”
Common Filipino people
avail of nature’s gifts by employing their labor and meager capital to draw
fish and other goods from the sea. Filipino social elites in 1956 and 1978 declared
the Spratlys as their property and part of Philippine territory. Filipino masses
look at the sea as a means of livelihood, while Filipino elites look at the sea
as something to own and collect rent from those living off the sea.
There is the ever
persistent Filipino elite pretense that the massive Orca in the room, the USA,
is not involved in the SCS dispute. Yet the pretense is accompanied by the
contradictory feeling that the US is bound to defend Philippine rocks in the
SCS, despite consistent denials by American officials.
The bigger picture is much
less parochial but much more proprietary. The truth is the US is deeply
involved in the SCS dispute because imperial America sincerely believes it owns
the world – from sea to shining sea. To prove how serious US proprietary claims
of the Asian world are, the US constructed and maintains 400 military bases in
the Asia Pacific region. Every year, the US/South Korea crime partners conduct
war games for 2 months involving close to half a million soldiers with
provocative objectives like (North Korea) regime decapitation, blockade of Malacca
Straits threatening Asian freedom of navigation and trade, and use of
nuclear-armed B2 stealth bombers threatening human existence itself.
In defense of its own
existence, China reclaims a few rocks in the SCS and builds airfields, radar
facilities, missile sites, submarine bases, and other military installations to
counter the US Godzilla. The US throws a tantrum at China’s audacity like
delinquent Democrats who refuse to accept defeat in the 2016 presidential
elections. The new US Secretary of State even threatens to stop further
construction and prevent China’s use of completed facilities in its own front
yard – the South China Sea. What better proof of imperial US ownership claims
of the world than these?
Once invested in a lie, the
US must remain consistent by repeating the lie about the PCA piece of toilet
paper. The PCA is not the legal venue to settle territorial disputes over land,
sea, and air. The UN and ICJ are the legal adjudicators of international law,
not the PCA. Both the UN and ICJ categorically stated the PCA is not part of
the UN/ICJ, and both had nothing to do with the PCA ruling over the Philippine
case about the SCS. The PCA ruling is not international law because the PCA has
no authority to issue binding legal judgments. Only the UN/ICJ has legal
international authority to do so.
The PCA is a mere
administrative and secretarial service provider to parties in an arbitration
case. It provided only rental space and secretarial services to the Philippine
panel, its American and British lawyers, and hired judges hearing Philippine
arguments. The whole charade was initiated, organized, led, and managed by the
US State Department and CIA. In particular, CSIS and AMTI whose governing board
includes Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and ex-generals and admirals of
the US empire. The PCA venue was chosen by the Americans who were not after a
binding international law judgment but an impressive propaganda club to beat
China’s head with. And all expenses paid for by America’s doormat in Asia – the
Philippines led by Noynoy Aquino and Antonio Carpio.
So the Philippines is back
in square one. China occupies Mischief Reef and Scarborough Shoal inside
Philippine EEZ but well out there in international waters. A limbo case of
being inside but outside. The Philippines must be honest with itself and the
world that it occupies some rocks in the Spratlys that are beyond its EEZ and
in international waters. China and other Asian countries also claim those rocks
as theirs.
The Philippines can reduce
SCS tension by ceasing to behave as US doormat and deny Philippine territory to
US military forces. It should declare its commitment for a regional agreement
to recognize the Spratlys as international waters. Also pursue a regional
agreement to demilitarize the Asia Pacific as a nuclear weapons-free zone and
dismantle all foreign military bases in the area. Immediately begin serious
bilateral negotiations with China over EEZ matters, Spratlys occupation, AIIB/New
Silk Road Development participation, SCO membership, regional defense
cooperation, and other social/political acts of genuine independence. No more
American Macabebe Scout policies.
Allan T.
Sent: Friday, 24 March 2017, 20:29
Subject: [Worldwide-Filipino-Alliance] HOW DO WE WRIGGLE OUT FROM OUR NATIONAL SHAME? Re: Puzzling show of defeatism
The international rule that the areas
occupied by Chinese military facilities in the West Philippine Sea is mere
Philippine EEZ but not our national territory does not justify at all the
permanent Chinese military facilities built there. If it is not our territory,
neither is it China's territory. Therefore, China, or any other country for
that matter, has no right to build such military facilities in the area because that act
constitutes act of OWNERSHIP applicable to owned territories alone, not to
international waters or sea lane, especially if it is part of EEZ of another
country, like the Philippines in this case.
Further, China's ownership claim over the vast south China sea,
including the disputed area, has not been accepted by the community of
nations.
As further proof of OWNERSHIP,
the Chinese military do not allow Filipino fishermen to even go near the
military facilities, thereby preventing us from exercising and enjoying our EEZ
rights over the area. Definitely, these acts of China are valid object of
protest in the UN. What is our UN membership for if we will not even seek its
aid to save us from international embarrassment as a helpless nation against
the bully China? In fact, what China did is not just bullying or empty threat--it is actual
grabbing and permanent possession and occupation of part of our EEZ.
The
happening of this
national shame probably did not occur to the Magnificent 12 who kicked
out the
US military bases in 1991. They were complacent and did not think that
other
military power will fill in the void left by the US military when the
opportune time comes. They underestimated the ability of other nations
to do the unexpected once the irresistibly tempting opportunity
arises. They did not lift a finger during their time to anticipate
this contingency which turned today into reality. They were legal
experts but
not visionary who prepares for potential future problems. Worse, they
would not lead
the nation now in taking the initiative toward saving us from our
present
national disgrace rooted from their act.
The
difference between the US and China: The US left when told to leave.
China does not budge an inch even if we complained against them.
How do we wriggle out from our present national shame? Why not ask the surviving members of the Magnificent 12?
Mar Tecson
At
one point, not only the Chinese thought that they can impose their will
on everyone by sheer military might over little defenseless enemies.
The Germans did so in the early 20th Century, when they looked
invincible. The Japanese did so as well in the 1930s and had a plan, as
again did the Germans at the same time, thinking the Axis was simply
unbeatable.
Well
we know what happened to those two international bullies, don't we?
Geopolitical rivalries run through decades as Otto Von Bismarck knew
instinctively, and this play is far from over. Anyone who thinks the
UNCLOS decision is worth ZERO is either Chinese or a traitor, and we all
know that.
This
dispute is in the second inning, using a sports metaphor, and already,
the Philippines had scored a home run. That is the basis of a spirited
defense that will unfold. Scarborough Shoal is the third inning, and
already plans are being developed at the Pentagon and Rand Corporation,
among many others. The World Series, was never EVER won in the second or
third inning. This game has a long way to go.
We
know that bullies without real military muscle are hot air until the
stronger country rises up finally. Krushev found that out, as did
Gorbachev. We all know how those plays ended.
Ricky
On Thursday, March 23, 2017, 8:24:24 PM EDT, Eduardo Gimenez
There
is another and far more important element to the dispute. That element
is “capability”. The disputed areas are in small unpopulated islets
spread out over thousands of square miles of ocean surrounding us. Most
of those islets go in and out of existence depending on the sea level
and the presence of storms. Unless Filipinos have learned to walk on
water, they do not have the capability of defending that territory. I
disagree that Filipinos are “cowering in fear”. This description is
completely inaccurate. Much more accurate is the fact the nation has
gone as far as it could go by taking the case before a toothless arm of
the UN and won its legal case.
But
having won and does not mean the ability to impose on China the fact we
won the case. Because China did not participate in the case so it
believes correctly that IT HAS NOT LOST. We went to UNCLOS alone
without any opponent. Given the lack of an opponent, that we would win
was a foregone conclusion. But China has one of the world’s largest
navy and it has created bases for them in those shoals and is continuing
to create more bases. They are creating GROUNDS ON THE SEAS as well as
FACTS ON THOSE GROUNDS that belie the Philippine claim… and that the
Philippines can do nothing about.
Every
sensible analyst who looked at the Philippine vs China position when
the dispute started in the early 2000s could have foreseen this present
state of affairs and would have gone the route of negotiation instead of
confrontation. I was one of those. Had we done that, there would be a
thousand offshore drilling rigs pumping oil out and generating some
negotiated income that would have substantially changed the Philippine
economic condition today. Instead we descended into one of the worst
aspects of our Spanish colonial masters namely “Quixotismo” derived from
that great Spanish classic Don Quijote de la Mancha. Quixotismo is a
false sense of pride. “IF I CAN’T HAVE ALL OF IT, YOU CAN HAVE NONE OF
IT”. The silliness of this position is our complete lack of capability
to impose our part… “YOU CAN HAVE NONE OF IT”.
The
patient Chinese knowing the quixotismo ingrained in the Filipino
nature, played us to the hilt. We bit on every lure they threw our
way. So we won our case. But what do we have to show for it?
NOTHING!
The
Chinese will end up owning it all. Our having won at UNCLOS is
irrelevant after all because we cannot impose our win nor can we get
anyone to help us against China. Every day that passes makes that win a
more vague and distant memory to the rest of the world.
Danding
Subject: Re: [Worldwide-Filipino-Alliance] Puzzling show of defeatism
Ricky,
the Vietnamese are a different breed altogether from us Filipinos. They
have seen victories against the mightiest armies the world has thrown
at them - the Mongols, with Chinese conscripts, under Kublai Khan; the
French legionnaires at Dienbienphu in 1955; and the Americans in 1975.
We Filipinos, on the other hand, have only experienced defeat - at the
hands of the Spaniards, the Americans and the Japanese. The
Vietnamese are standing their ground back against the Chinese bullies
while we Filipinos are cowering in fear, surrendering without firing a
single shot. It is no wonder that the Vietnamese have even overtaken us
economically; next to overtake us will be the country that Duterte just
visited and handed aid to the tune of $300,000, Myanmar. That country is
growing at the annual rate of 10%; if it continues to do so, it will
overtake the Philippines in 15 years or less. The first time we were
bypassed by our neighbors was during the Marcos regime, the second time
will be under Duterte.
Subject: Re: [Worldwide-Filipino-Alliance] Puzzling show of defeatism
Joe,
the latest - "The Chinese have a right to hang out at Benham
Rise".......Duterte, so now we are encircled between the West Philippine
Sea, and the Philippine Sea in a pincer maneuver by the Chinese. He
says the Philippine soldiers will be slaughtered. Well tell that to
Vietnamese who stood their ground even though they were so
outarnumbered, out armed, outtechnologied, and out everythinged by the
Chinese in the SCS, but they fought back to defend their country from
Chinese bullying and thieving.
On Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 12:55:51 AM EDT, Jose Tabbada
There
must be a million reasons for Duterte's defeatism. This is the same
candidate who boasted during the campaign that he would jetski to one of
the contested islets and plant the Philippine flag and die a hero if
need be. Maybe Duterte meant the Chinese flag. Everything that he has
done since assuming the presidency has been to hand over Philippine
territory to China and behave like a vassal to his Chinese overlords.
EDITORIAL
Puzzling show of defeatism
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:12 AM March 21, 2017
Glance
at a map and see if you aren’t startled at how close Panatag Shoal is
to the Philippines—and why there is a so-called dispute about its
ownership in the first place. The triangle-shaped outcropping of rocks
and reefs, also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal to
generations of Filipino fishermen, is merely 220 kilometers (124
nautical miles) from Palauig, Zambales—the nearest landmass to it. That
distance is about the same as from Manila to Daet, Camarines Norte. By
contrast, the nearest Chinese port, in Hainan Island, is a whopping 550
nautical miles away.
The
3-century-old map Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas
Filipinas—drawn by the Jesuit priest Pedro Murillo Velarde, published in
1734 and obtained by Filipino businessman Mel Velarde from a Sotheby’s
auction in London—definitively shows Panatag Shoal as part of Philippine
territory. The map formed part of the supporting documents the
Philippines submitted to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
that heard the country’s protest against China’s claim on the
territory. The tribunal decided in favor of the Philippines last year,
saying that China’s supposed historic claim on almost the entire South
China Sea by virtue of a “nine-dash line,” which would include ownership
of Panatag, the Spratly Islands and other coral reefs and atolls in the
region, is without legal basis.
Unfortunately,
despite the ruling China has continued to exercise effective control
over Panatag since at least 2012. Previous to that, the Philippines
exercised occupation and jurisdiction over the area, even putting up a
lighthouse there in 1965. But China wrested it from Philippine hands
basically by trickery, when it broke an agreement to jointly withdraw
from the area until the ownership row is settled.
The
Philippines complied but China stayed, erected a barrier to the shoal,
began policing the area, and, in 2015, even used water cannons on
Filipino fishermen attempting to fish in what had been their traditional
fishing grounds. The fishermen were able to return only in October last
year, after President Duterte went on a state visit to
China
and, in effect, got that country’s permission for his countrymen to
fish in the area. Suddenly, the Chinese Coast Guard wasn’t intercepting
Filipino boats anymore; it had clearly gotten the memo.
Now
comes the disturbing news that China is building radar facilities on
Panatag. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio says such a
station would further militarize the area: It would enable China to
impose missile-supported air control over the South China Sea, and to
eventually require any aircraft to seek permission from it to fly over
the area. The fact is that China has already built military
installations on other disputed atolls such as Mischief Reef, Subi Reef
and Fiery Cross Reef. The grand plan, it appears, is to impose the
discredited “nine-dash line” by sheer muscle.
Dishearteningly,
President Duterte’s response to this latest provocation has been a
puzzling display of defeatism: “Wala tayong magagawa dyan (There’s
nothing we can do),” he said. “What do you want me to do? Declare war
against China?”
Let’s
make it clear: No one is advocating a war to solve this row. But, for a
start, how about mobilizing the consensus of Asean, a number of whose
members are also disputing China’s claims in the region? The Philippines
holds the Asean chairmanship this year; can’t this administration put
this urgent matter on the table? How about mobilizing the tools and
opportunities of international diplomacy to pressure China to ease up on
its expansionism?
How
about, as Carpio says, desisting from issuing any suggestion that the
Philippines is yielding its claim on parts of the South China Sea? How
about exploring every other peaceful but determined option available to a
sovereign nation whose territory is being gobbled up, and not behaving
as though one couldn’t care less, or worse, as though one were a loser?
