What that ‘Philippines: the province of China’ stunt was telling us

Last Thursday, tarpaulins were hung on overpasses in Manila that read: “Welcome to the Philippines, the province of China!”

The stunt was made on Thursday, July 12. That date should have significance, because that was the date the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of the Philippines in its claim on the West Philippine Sea and the islands.

That stunt, whoever made that, was a reminder. Three years into that historic ruling, (three years also after Sass Sasot made her name online fighting for the Philippines with her international relations’ cred) and look at what government is doing with this victory.

There was a forum during the anniversary with former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who led the filing of that arbitration case in 2013.

Looking out on the West Philippine Sea, we see China has ignored the victory and continues to build its military complex. We see our fisherfolk being bullied by Chinese marines, getting their catch in exchange for cigarettes and sardines. Yet, the Philippine government has failed to assert its sovereignty to fight for its claim.

Del Rosario calls both positions “less than acceptable”. He goes on to call China the “international outlaw” for ignoring the international ruling and laws.

The former foreign affairs secretary express dismay over the Philippine government in failing to capitalize on its rights by developing more support from many countries who share common principles that magnify the voice in protecting the seas against China. This refers to ASEAN neighbors Vietnam and Indonesia who voice strong opposition to China’s encroachment.

The government’s soft stance may be attributed to the ties and economic assistance that the Philippine government will receive from China. It is ironic that when the president reasserted the government’s independent foreign policy and cutting of ties from the US, he said this during his visit to China in 2017. After that visit, China promised to bring $73 million or 3.8 billion pesos in economic and infrastructure assistance.

Recently, Budget Secretary Ben Diokno considers hiring laborers from China for the government’s massive Build-Build-Build projects all over the country. There are also rumors of Chinese investments in Boracay, and a throng of Chinese tourists. It seems China is all over the place.

Meanwhile, there are 10 million people unemployed, and most of them may consider flying abroad where higher wages will help their families. Communities will be threatened with the expansion of Chinese businesses.

It’s funny but this situation reminds of that Bisaya spoof of Apocalypto on YouTube years ago, where that crazy priest character shouted in English overdub: “God made mankind, but everything else is made in China!”

We won our sovereignty, but government doesn’t know how to build on it.

(tyvelez@gmail.com)