Motherhood statements not patriotism

Pardon the pun, but motherhood statements do not patriotism define nor a patriot make. And this is sad because a growing number of Filipinos, no doubt egged on by armchair nationalists, have taken to criticizing the president for ostensibly giving up on several Philippine-claimed islands and rocky outcrops in the South China Sea.

Nothing is farther from the truth. True, Rodrigo Duterte has chosen not to antagonize China over the competing claims of both countries over some of these islands. But that does not mean he has given up these islands, as some members of the Senate, mostly members of the Liberal Party, so frequently and shrilly point out. What Duterte is doing is using our claim over these islands for our own benefit.

There is nothing the Philippines can do about the South China Sea situation except to do exactly what Duterte is doing. Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and even the noisy Antonio Trillanes, would not be able to do anything had they been president. The reality is, not even the United States, whose interests in the South China Sea far outweigh those of the Philippines, has been able to do nothing against China's virtual annexation of the area.

Freedom of navigation forays by the United States are timid displays of protest, more like face-saving exercises than definitive assertions of what is supposed to be the correct posture taken by the world's policeman and global superpower. Now, if the United States, whose own security and economic interests are largely tied up to what goes on in the South China Sea, cannot forcefully insist on what is its due, how much more for the Philippines?

The arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines being touted by some is nothing but a piece of paper unless it can be enforced. And the Philippines is in no position to enforce it. Neither is the United Nations. The United States could have, but if it itself is reduced to almost asking permission to sail through the area (it has to publicize its intent in advance), then nobody really can.

So what do we do about the situation? Duterte obviously does not have the heart to waste Filipino blood on a futile military option. Maybe, Drilon, Pangilinan, Aquino, Hontiveros, and even Trillanes, can lead an armed expedition to retake and reclaim our supposedly lost islands. But that is a very doubtful proposition. As we all know, these politicians are only good at shooting off their mouths.

At least Duterte is getting something out of a very bad and, in all likelihood, hopeless situation. He is trying, and has been successful in squeezing some concessions from China. It is like being held hostage in your own home. Whatever documentary proof of ownership you wave in front of the noses of the hostage-takers will mean nothing and could even antagonize them into acts of violence against your family.

The best thing you can do is wrangle some concessions from the home invaders, like maybe let you get something to eat or drink, or maybe let the family stay together in one room. For as long as the Philippines is weak, China is strong, and the United States is scared or indifferent, there is nothing we can do anymore with our claims in the South China Sea, except make the best out of a bad situation.

‘There is nothing we can do anymore with our claims in the South China Sea, except make the best out of a bad situation.’