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Friday, March 29, 2024

A perplexing decision

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By simply looking at the map, the Philippine Rise—off the Pacific coast and declared by no less than the United Nations as part of our continental shelf—appears far removed from any threatening claims.

The entire island of Luzon stands between it and the West Philippine Sea. The land mass should be enough of a barrier against big countries with questionable territorial intentions.

But now we hear that President Rodrigo Duterte has personally decided to allow China to conduct “scientific research” on the continental shelf, prompting questions and speculation about his preferential treatment of our giant neighbor.

Philippine Rise, previously known as Benham Rise, is believed to be rich in biodiversity.

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The spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing reportedly told media that China would carry out scientific activities in the Philippine Rise this month and next month. Philippine scientists are welcome to join, he said. 

How gracious.

Mr. Duterte has not sounded too convincing in his desire to protect our territory from incursions from China.   Despite a ruling in our favor by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the President does not bring this up in the company of his Chinese friends. The PCA ruled that China’s supposedly historical nine-dash line has no basis in law.  

Instead, Mr. Duterte harps about the investments and loans extended to us by China.

It is true that China does not have any present claims on that part of our territory by the Pacific. Still, it had vessels in the area, leaving many to speculate on what it is truly up to, and how far our own officials would allow it.  

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque challenges anybody who does not agree with the President’s personal decision to raise the issue in Congress. This is the same spokesman who said he now relies on “good faith” with regard to China’s apparently expanding territorial claims.

Good faith may be presumed, of course, but not everybody enjoys the credibility to say he—or it, in the case of a country—has it.

We struggle to make sense of Mr. Duterte’s cozy pivot toward China. We wonder for how much longer we would have to guess what it truly happening—and fret that it may be too late when we do find out.

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