The power of diplomacy
Last weekend, it felt like the world was on the brink of another war. News of Iran’s attack on Israel in retaliation for the latter’s alleged bombing of the former’s consulate in Damascus, Syria fanned speculations that the world’s superpowers might be involved in the escalating conflict in that part of the world. It will be recalled that the United States and its allies have committed to back Israel, while other superpowers have reportedly pledged support for Iran if the US commits acts of aggression against it.
As we write this column, the world is waiting with bated breath to see how the superpowers will react if Israel retaliates against the weekend attack by Iran and what the consequences of such retaliation might be.
Earlier, it looked like the West Philippine Sea was poised to be a similar flash point and a potential source of confrontation by global superpowers. There were serious incursions into what we believe is our territorial waters and the use of water cannons against our personnel and vessels by adversarial forces. Several foreign ships identified with these forces have reportedly come dangerously close to Kalayaan Islands. In the aftermath, our national leadership has taken a more serious stance regarding these incidents and has issued firmer words of warning against such acts.
This has led several observers, local and international, to ask whether or not we might be involved in a potential shooting war and if we are capable of engaging in such a war.
We believe the better question is, are there alternatives to armed conflict? Can the world prevent the escalation of conflict and move us away from a third world war?
It looks like the Philippines has supplied some of the answers. It appears that, yes, there are alternatives to a full-blown armed confrontation, particularly in the waters near our shores.
The answer is in the power of diplomacy, and President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. has been the face of this strategy. It looks like it will work.
There has been no clear, unequivocal statement from our defense officials regarding such a strategy. Based on our observation, however, there are specific, well-planned steps we are taking to deal with the hostility we are experiencing in the West Philippine Sea.
One step is to avoid retaliation. This is the “turning the other cheek” technique. We have never fired (water cannons) back. This is reminiscent of the great boxer Muhammad Ali’s classic “rope-a-dope.”
The second step is to ensure that the acts of aggression are played out in the global center stage. It appears the world has taken notice of such acts. We took a look at traditional and social media in countries in the region. They have mostly been sympathetic to our plight and are generally repulsed by the “bully” behavior exhibited by our adversaries in the disputed waters.
The third step is to generate alliances and transform our allies into advocates. So, far this has been the most outstanding result of the President’s use of the power of diplomacy. Our representatives have ably engaged with their counterparts in other countries, and have gotten them to understand that they have serious and major stakes in whatever happens in the West Philippine Sea.
We were elated by the clear and strong expression of support for us coming from countries like the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.
Other countries have expressed concern over the lack of respect for the rule of law on the part of the aggressor country. Others have called out the risk to human life that such acts have created. In addition to the US, Japan, India, and Australia, the list includes Canada, the United
Kingdom, Sweden, France,
South Korea, the
Czech Republic,
Poland, Spain,
Finland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
Many are now watching how our national leadership will use the gains of the power of diplomacy to restore some sense of stability in the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, as we pray that tensions in conflict areas ease up soon, there are things we can do as ordinary citizens.
The first is to let the world see that we are united, at least as far as our stance on this conflict is concerned. We have to admit that we are a society fractured by diverse interests, divergent opinions, and divisive politics. Faced with growing external threats, the world needs to see that we are a country that can set aside internal differences when our sovereignty is threatened.
Second, we must show the world that we are more than willing and able to defend our country. The national government scrapped compulsory military training many years ago. It is, however, heartening to note the results of a recent survey which showed that more Filipinos now favor the return of mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC).
In a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, some 69 percent of the respondents said they agree with the revival of the ROTC program in our schools. Only 17 percent disagreed and 14 percent are still undecided.
This should send a strong and clear message to parties concerned that, when called upon to defend our country, Filipinos will respond to that call.