The first week of a new decade
Happy New Year to all of you! I do wish a happy new year for us as we enter a new decade. I would like to wish you all a peaceful new year but as the clock struck midnight to usher in the new decade, some events have taken place that are far from peaceful. First is the dispute between China and Indonesia. Once again, China wants to own the whole ocean in this part of the world. Their fishermen have encroached into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Natuna Islands which are part of Indonesia. There was even an occasion where the Chinese fishermen were escorted by Chinese coast guard vessels as if knowing they would meet resistance. But Indonesia does not back down from these actions. They immediately sent ships to patrol the said ocean. Reconnaissance and even a fighter plane now patrol the airspace over their EEZ. Indonesia doesn’t have any claims on the Spratlys islands while China insists on its right to fish wherever they can. Tension now exists between the two countries which may polarize other countries since Indonesia even brings up the Permanent Court of Arbitration win of the Philippines against China's Nine-Dash-Line. Something to keep an eye on.
Then there is the American airstrike that killed Iran's top general, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, considered to be the second most powerful person in Iran. President Trump ordered the airstrike against Soleimani whom he claims is behind many acts of terrorism against Americans. Soleimani has long been targeted before but was not acted upon by past administrations. Trump said he did it to end the war, not to start one. Iranians couldn't agree less. The Iranian leader and several other officials have pledged "severe vengeance" against Americans. Some believe the region may be headed for another war. As a response, the United States immediately sent additional soldiers to Kuwait in case an armed conflict does break out. Trump has also said that they have targeted 52 places in Iran should they act against Americans and its assets. The number corresponding to the number of hostages Iran held from 1979 to 1981. An order has been given out for all Americans to leave Iraq immediately. Not surprisingly, the price of oil has gone up. Expect fuel prices to rise, along with the third tranche of the TRAIN Law. The world is now watching what happens next. Even President Duterte is nervous as to what Iran will do next. There are talks they will have to repatriate our Filipino OFWs before a full-blown crisis erupts.
We now go back to Kuwait where another Filipina OFW has been killed once again. Jeanelyn Villaverde was beaten to death by her female employer. What exactly did Jeanelyn do to warrant such violent behavior? Or is it because they see Filipino OFWs as beneath them that none deserve to be treated well? Remember that the Philippines and Kuwait already have an agreement in place that states that our OFWs are to be protected, after the brutal murder of Joanna Demafelis. DOLE has once again banned OFWs from going to Kuwait as the case against Villaverde's murderer is ongoing. All of these events and we haven't even finished the first week of January. I still wish everyone a Happy New Year!
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