“Giyera lang?” Philstar.com lists what Duterte can do re WPS

OVER TWO hundred Chinese vessels have been in the West Philippines Sea since March 20 according to the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS). The development re-ignited a heated exchange between Philippine and Chinese officials— and between Duterte and critics. So far, President Duterte has kept to his message, “The issue of the West Philippine Sea remains to be a question forever. Until such time that, you know, we can take it back. Ang akin niyan, walang iba, giyera lang.“

CMFR cheers Philstar.com’s video report “ANYARE? The supposed war looming in the West Philippine Sea,” published on May 4, for its popularization of the issues raised by China’s aggression and illegal activities in Philippine waters. Duterte’s insistence that war is the only way to respond lets China do what it wants to do. The question in street language – How did this happen?

Delivered in Filipino, the report was produced with a decidedly light touch, which helped the public understand the foreign policy question, along with the terms EEZ, sovereign rights and the UN international law of the sea (UNCLOS). It helped make the WPS issue part of ordinary conversation; highlighting what every Filipino should know by using simple but effective graphics to show that the territory where Chinese boats chase off Filipino fishermen belongs to Filipinos and identifying the rich marine resources, including oil and gas, that they own.

In a little more than five minutes, the video written by James Relativo and reported by Xave Gregorio, presented a wealth of information, background and context. It set the record straight about how China has been ignoring the ruling of the UN Arbitral Tribunal by building artificial islands, militarizing the area and patrolling Philippine waters. It noted the strong language used by DFA Secretary Teddy Locsin, Jr. and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in protesting China’s actions in contrast to Duterte’s words.

The video also cited Vietnam’s response to China on their claims: “Ok din daw gayahin ang Vietnam, kahit bulilit hindi naa-agawan ng Beijing. Hindi maririnig sa kanila ang ‘hindi natin kaya, ishare na lang natin ang isda,’ walang ganun mars! Wala ring giyera.”

Citing maritime expert Jay Batongbacal, Philstar.com concluded its report with four solutions that the Philippine government can do to assert the country’s rights: 1) providing Filipino fishermen with official escorts to prevent their harassment; 2) automatic filing of diplomatic protests; 3) charging Chinese vessels in Philippine courts and fining them in accordance with national fishing laws and UNCLOS; and 4) calling on the international community to declare China as a “state sponsor” of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The latter includes convincing other countries not to buy marine products from China which may have been caught illegally.

The report demonstrated that the issue is bigger than Duterte and Xi Jin Ping. This broader context holds up the president’s response to public scrutiny. It contradicts his claim that China has been “a good friend” to the Philippines. With friends like that, Filipinos should ask, who needs enemies?

Further than ‘anyare?’, CMFR asks media: pwede pa more?