THE STATE of the Philippine response to the aggression of China has become comical. Seriously, the sacking of former Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (AFP WESCOM) commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos this week is laughable.
Well, for starters, does he dictate foreign policy in this country? Let’s revisit. Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as “Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991,” mandates the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the three pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy, namely: Preservation and enhancement of national security; Promotion and attainment of economic security; Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas. Of course, the Philippine president can influence foreign policy.
Second, because we have diplomatic relations with China, it is not unthinkable that officials of equivalent rank talk. Or are we not talking anymore? Is that the new policy?
Third, hasn’t China been spreading so many information — or the opposite — that pissed us lately? What if this deliberate pronouncement was simply a communication ploy? Carlos becomes the sacrificial lamb so we can score “pogi” points with our fellow Filipinos?
Fourth, so, a gag order is now in effect? Talking to China is no longer the policy for soldiers? If this were so, this should have been properly communicated upon assumption of the president in June 2022.
I couldn’t quite comprehend why we are punishing a military official for engaging in communication with a counterpart of another country, especially if we still maintain diplomatic relations with that country.
The Department of National Defense (DND) has apparently undertaken with gusto its own strategic communication plan to promote the narrative against China, and I understand that, but let’s just not do an overkill just to placate anyone. It’s crappy.
If the DND saw it fit at the beginning of Marcos’ presidency to undertake a different communication approach, then this should have been articulated accurately.
This is what we call leadership communication.
Moving forward with the diplomatic ruckus, now that China has reportedly granted its Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) the authority to detain foreigners it suspects of “trespassing” its borders — including the contested areas in the South China Sea (SCS) — for up to 60 days without trial to begin on June 15, what’s the Philippines’ correct response?
To recall, a document titled “Procedural Regulations on Administrative Law Enforcement of Coast Guard Agencies” was uploaded on China News Service, a Chinese state-run news agency, confirming the adoption of the said procedures on May 15 — the same day that our fellow Filipinos led a civilian mission to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. If that isn’t retaliation, I don’t know what is!
To sum up, the CCG is allowed to detain foreigners suspected of violating entry and exit rules, persons found to be assisting others to illegally exit and enter Chinese territory, and persons having illegal residence and employment; detain individuals “endangering national security and interests, disrupting social and public order, or those engaging in illegal and criminal activities;” detain foreigners for up to 30 days if they violate China’s exit-entry rules, but this can be extended to 60 days for more complex cases, with police approval; provincial-level coast guards can make detention decisions, however, with approval from the coast guard agency for any requests to extend the detention review period.
In response, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said this week that China’s detention policy in SCS is “unacceptable, has no legal basis.” We get that. How should we proceed then?
In an article written by Jeoffrey Maitem for the South China Morning Post, Jennifer Parker, an expert associate at the National Security College, Australian National University said, “It would be illegal for Beijing to apply such a policy outside its territorial waters.” This was seconded by Ray Powell, a maritime security analyst at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, Stanford University, who said the announcement of the Chinese coastguard’s detainment order was a significant escalation by Beijing. Moreover, “It is important for affected countries and the larger international community to make clear that any such detention would be treated as illegal and an outrage against the international order,” Powell stated.
Okay, so we hear what our government is saying. We comprehend what the experts are telling. However, when all is said and done, and China implements the regulations on June 15, 2024, what happens then?
More heads will roll?
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Writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10:00 a.m. at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. She can also be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
