“In numerous police raids on POGO hubs, these POGOs were found involved in human trafficking , violations and illegal entry of mainland Chinese into the Philippines”
WHEN China came out with its questionable Nine-dash Line claim of the South China Sea, the Philippines went to the Arbitral Court at the Hague, and the Arbitral Court ruled the Nine-dash Line was illegal and a violation of the United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea.
But China continued with its aggressive claim on disputed waters, often preventing Filipino fishermen from fishing in those waters for their livelihood.
Then came China’s Ten-dash Line where China claimed also most the whole South China Sea as part of its territory, to the point of bullying our country’s coast guard and often preventing Filipino fishermen from fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
It used high pressured water cannons on Philippine vessels that were attempting to bring provisions and supplies to a platoon of marine soldiers safeguarding the rusty World War II vessel Sierra Madre at the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal at the Spratlys.
We have filed hundreds of diplomatic protests against China, but do you think they would comply with International Laws?
Now, China is doing the unthinkable.
China has warned our country they would detain without trial “foreigners” who trespass their alleged waters, meaning us Filipinos.
China also banned Filipinos from fishing in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales’ shoreline for several months!
What will they think of next?
The Philippine Navy of course will not comply and neither will the Filipino fisherfolk. Santa Banana, most disturbing is the comment of BBM that if death results from the actions of China, it would be considered a threat to war.
But, indeed China will do what it had warned us it would do.
Santa Banana, we can cry out to the high heavens that what China is doing is against the UNCLOS and International Law, but what will China think of next ?
What I am worried about is if China were to do as it threatened to do, what can we do?
Our allies in the region and elsewhere will condemn China, but can they stop what China is doing to the Philippines?
And if China will not stop, what next?
Outlaw the POGOs
The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators remain a big problem for the country. Together with other opinion writers, I have written countless columns against the POGOs.
In numerous police raids on POGO hubs, these POGOs were found involved in human trafficking , violations and illegal entry of mainland Chinese into the Philippines.
I have asked the government, especially President Marcos Jr., if what they are paying in taxes and requirements are enough to justify all the violations of our laws?
Indeed, what is the justification of these POGOs in continuing their existence when China itself has outlawed gambling.
Santa Banana, the Chinese must be laughing at us Filipinos.
I raise this question, which I have raised before: Is the money the government is getting from these POGOs with all the problems they are giving us, like mainland Chinese entering the Philippines and committing crimes like kidnapping for ransom, torturing POGO workers, and many other crimes, worth their existence?
Santa Banana, to make things worse, POGO workers even have SAF (Special Action Forces) as bodyguards. SAF is an elite force of the Philippine National Police.
And yet, they become bodyguards to POGO workers. What next?
A bill has been filed by Senator Win Gatchalian to finally outlaw POGOs.
Surprisingly, the Senate, now under Senate President Chiz Escudefo, appears to welcome POGOs. Santa Banana, is the so-called “Solid 7” now a follower and supporter of the POGOs?
Mourning Tweetums
My wife and I mourn the death of our close friend Barbara “Tweetums” C. Gonzalez.
In the 70’s, Tweetums had my wife and another close friend, Nena Barretto, decorate the Manila Hotel when Tweetums was with Jun Cruz, then board chairman of the Manila Hotel as GSIS Chairman.
Tweetums made a name for herself in advertising, and later on as a columnist of the lifestyle section of the Philippine Star. My wife and I will miss Tweetums.
We never met anybody like her. We will continue praying for her.
