Twisted Thoughts

By Rolo B. Cena

Random

Dumaguete Star Informer

17 July 2016

The UN-backed Permanent Court on Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China has no historic title over South China Sea and that it violated the sovereign rights of the Philippines with its actions in the strategic waterway.  Conversely, it ruled in favor of the Philippine’s claim over the group of islands.

Beginner’s luck!

Nope, credit of course goes to the preceding administration for formally filing our claim in 2013.

Before his assumption, President-Elect Rodrigo Duterte accused Senator Trillanes of undermining the country’s claim over Spratlys to China.  In an article published in one of the national dailies, the President lambasted the outgoing senator by accusing the latter of making series of trips to China meeting several Chinese dignitaries reportedly for the Spratlys negotiation.  The allegation in fact states that the Senator in his favor made the negotiation with the green light from his immediate head.

Twisted?

My two cents in:  Assuming for the sake of argument that the claim was true, what a twisted moral values the legislator could have.  It is not surprising to learn the behavior though knowing that it was him who led the military staff-off in a posh Makati District in defiance to the authority of the astute Lady President now detained Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo.  Again, if it were true, it would be a total disregard of the mandate given to him by the voting populace and disrespect to the peace-loving persona of the Filipino people in and out of the archipelagic Philippines.

Twister!

The defiance made by China on the Ruling promulgated by the United Nations may come in too heavy a cyclone for the new President and for all the Filipinos.  For one, China has been a long-time economic partner of the country.  Starting with the Barter Trade during the pre-Spanish or Pre-War era, the commerce and trade between our neighbors has actually proliferated and has been contributing to the national economic growth of the Country.  Two, the cultural support given to us by its government and the strong influence evidenced by its presence in the consumeristic lives of the Filipinos are felt and seen every where.  Three, there is no denying the fact that no matter what has happened since the Luneta hostage taking in 2010, thousands of Filipinos are still engaged by China’s select household names for overseas employment.

Twist!

The Ruling promulgated by the United Nations over the dispute does not end the melo-dramatic episode that has been taking the spotlight since 2013 in the prime time slots.  The promulgation is just the beginning of a very compelling plot of hate-love-friend- enemy twist of the story.  For one, with the kind of behavior Chinese government has shown and continues to show to the world that she is a supreme being of sort, expect a trending behavior of power and retaliation.  More than that, we can expect another kind of bullying in the coming days.  Two, the military buildup and activities China has undertaken is an apparent indication, and if I may opine, a proactive and tactical move of getting ready for another tranche.  Three, the structures built in the West Philippine Sea is a seeming disregard and disrespect of our existence as a noble race coming from a sovereign nation, that by historical and legal fiction, owns the disputed lands.

The challenge now is how can an International Court execute its decision or order without resorting to a more abrasive effort given the defying stance China exhibits today with the end in mind of maintaining peace and order in the Southeast Asian region; how can it sustain its ground knowing for a fact that one race has twisted the story that consequently twisted set of values that propelled a twisted claim for a property.

The decision of the supreme Tribunal is one thing.  Making it run in two completely different cultural grounds is another story.  Relatively, it will be a tough balancing act for President Duterte and his Cabinet to execute the ruling.    

While we have the backing through its Ruling by the United Nations, support from Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, the fact still remains that China has been defying orders and has at present defied, or junked, for a better term, the decision of the supreme Tribunal.  The behavior suggests that they can and will continue to bully another race, creed or culture, much more, an Authority that all States of the World respect and decision uphold, just to stand by their claim of ownership over a territory they had no ownership of, to begin with.

Let’s see how can major players – the Philippines, China and the United Nations correct some twisted thoughts and make the law run for the countries.  Truly, we cannot expect something good out of twisted thoughts especially when these thoughts are the consequent results of using twisted values that run the conscious minds of the Leaders.

It is in fact happening right now, right here.  Good luck, Philippines!