This has been a tried and tested way of defeating an enemy. Making them fight each other, and when already in a weakened and distracted state, go in for the kill! Such is what is happening now at the Senate, where Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV are practically at each other’s throats on the revealed backchanelling being apparently done by Trillanes on the issue of Scarborough Shoal and other disputed islands.
Apparently, Trillanes has been talking to Chinese officials regarding the sticky issue, without the knowledge of DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario! It seems that Trillanes would say one thing to the Chinese while del Rosario says another!
The barbs have now become more personal, with Enrile labeling Trillanes a traitor, while the latter has been bringing up the former’s past “shenanigans”.
Both senators have very colorful histories indeed. Enrile being with the Marcos administration, whom he was instrumental in both strengthening and toppling, while Trillanes has had several coup attempts on his belt, on his way to becoming a senator!
But now that all this backchanneling has become public, what exactly is the stand of the government? Here we have the secretary of Foreign Affairs with his agenda, while we have a senator of the Philippines talking to the Chinese with the apparent blessing of the President.
I’m sure both are acting on behalf of the best interest of the country, but they seem to be on opposite sides of the pole! All this, while the Chinese watch and wait for the optimum time to strike?
An invasion of the country by the Chinese may be a little far-fetched, especially with the current global situations. But still, relinquishing sovereignty is unacceptable, especially if we have already made claims to several of these islands. With all the rhetoric coming from both the public and the President himself on standing our ground regarding our claims to these islands, it would be shameful to just hand over the islands in exchange for whatever concessions are made. And the public do have a right to know what exactly is going on with regards to sovereignty!
While I’m certain bachchanneling does have its merits, it also smacks of clandestine movements and shadowy maneuverings. Something that just does not jibe with transparency for which this administration is hinging its performance on, its trust ratings on. The country can only hope that everyone knows what they are doing. And who they are doing it for!
Right now, it is a question of who is going to blink first, because the muzzles placed by the Palace don’t seem to be working.