From Friend to Foe? Duterte Criticizing China on Treatment of PH Military

Screengrab from Inquirer.net.

On July 31, the Associated Press (AP) reported that Philippine military aircraft patrolling over the Spratlys within the West Philippine Sea had received at least 46 Chinese radio warnings telling them to leave or “pay (sic) the possible consequences.” The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philstar.com and SunStar Manila reprinted the AP report.

Reacting to the Chinese warnings, President Rodrigo Duterte publicly criticized China on August 14, saying it can neither build artificial islands nor prevent non-Chinese vessels from passing through “international seas.” Duterte said he hoped China would temper its behavior in the area.

In a statement to Reuters on August 16, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the Spratlys are China’s “inherent territory,” and that while it respects the freedom of navigation and overflight that international law guarantees, “China has a right to take necessary steps to respond to foreign aircraft and ships that deliberately get close to or make incursions into the air and waters near China’s relevant islands, and provocative actions that threaten the security of Chinese personnel stationed there.”

But Duterte publicly hit China again on August 17, saying there was no need for “nasty words” because he already said the Philippines is China’s “friend” and that it is not prepared to go to war.

Philippine media following the exchange described the criticism as “rare,” pointing out that in seeking friendlier ties with China, Duterte had set aside the 2016 arbitration ruling which favored the Philippines. An Inquirer report said Duterte’s call on China to temper its actions “could be his boldest statement.”

Having been silent for so long on Chinese incursions in the area, why was Duterte suddenly critical of China? The media did not ask why the president shifted to a more assertive rhetoric, actually demanding China to stop what it was doing.

Reports also failed to recall the instances when Filipino fishermen were chased, harassed or prevented by the Chinese Coast Guard from entering Scarborough Shoal, which is also part of the West Philippine Sea. Duterte was notably silent on these occasions, when ordinary citizens were involved.

This time it was the military that was complaining. Duterte has been constantly wooing the military because of his fears of a possible coup. Has the president finally had it with the one-sided relationship with China? Or has the president come around to paying heed to military sentiments about his China policy, because ignoring the military may have far more serious consequences?

The media should try to find out.