Protesting China’s actions
First it was DFA Secretary Locsin. Then Defense Secretary Lorenzana, then lately followed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. According to them, the Philippines must protest China's building of a maritime rescue center at Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef). The reason is for China not to be comfortable with building structures on the artificial islands, which are part of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. If the country does not protest, then we seem to have agreed that the islands do belong to them, that they indeed have sovereignty. The Palace thinks otherwise, stating, surely sarcastically, that the country should even be thankful for the maritime rescue center.
But Secretary Locsin would rather protest to the Chinese at the UN General Assembly, perhaps for all the other countries to witness. Maybe something along the lines of an Adlai Stevenson, who was the US Ambassador to the United Nations in 1962. He was forcefully asking his Soviet counterpart if missiles were already in Cuba, and would wait for his answer “until hell freezes over”. But I wonder if the Palace would even allow what three Cabinet officials are insisting the country to do. You do not hear such defiant words from other Cabinet members, and from Duterte himself. If Secretary Locsin ever gets a chance to engage China at the UN General Assembly, I hope I get to watch that.
China has always gone back on what it “officially” says. I seem to recall that a status quo on island building was in place. But instead, they have greatly improved the infrastructure on the islands, not discounting fortification and improvement of possible military facilities. They have landed military planes, including a bomber capable of carrying a nuclear weapon. The islands are surely being used as ports by their massive coast guard and navy fleets. I wouldn’t be surprised if soldiers are already housed in the islands.
While it is refreshing to see members of Duterte’s Cabinet unhappy with what China is doing, considering the affinity of Duterte to the Asian giant, I would still like to see a more concrete action. Because of this administration’s putting aside the country’s victory in the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration, China has built on the artificial islands unopposed. Any protest or complaint would just fall on deaf ears, feeling they have tacit permission to continue building. I wonder if the other claimant countries do protest? China has built extensively on the Paracels, which Vietnam has actually gone to war with against China. Have they continually protested against China’s actions?
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