FVR to secure ‘mission orders’ as emissary to China

MANILA, Philippines – Former president Fidel Ramos is set to meet with President Duterte this weekend to get his “mission orders” as a special envoy to help resolve the country’s territorial dispute with China.

But while he was honored by Duterte’s request for him to act as a high-level emissary to China, Ramos reiterated he was still awaiting final clearance from his doctors on his fitness for the task.

“I can do the job, but I’m also requesting parameters and guidelines from the President because that’s the way it is – you must give command guidance to your soldier if you want the mission to succeed,” Ramos told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.  “I want us to succeed so that I can report to him ‘mission accomplished’.”

He declined to give further details on the coming meeting, after which he would likely announce his decision whether to take the job. Ramos has been on cardiac pacemaker since last year.

“What if I conk out (in the middle of my work)? That would paint a poor picture of our nation after all the advance publicity you’ve made (of me as special envoy),” he said.

The former president said he would push for a more informal and people-to-people approach in dealing with China, which has continued to expand its military presence in disputed waters, following the release of a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague debunking its nine-dash line argument.

Ramos said he believes the first priority should be defusing tensions at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, now under Chinese control despite its being only about 125 nautical miles from Zambales.

He recalled that over 10 years ago, he had suggested organizing weekend picnics in the area with catch in the resource rich waters to be cooked and shared among Filipino and Chinese officials while playing mahjong or some card games.

While his suggestion may not be taken literally, such an informal and comfortable environment builds relationships that, more likely than not, can lead to understanding, agreements and peace, Ramos said.

“In the end, you plan for saving lives instead of killing people,” he said. “First and foremost in what you do in every problem, from personal, family and even national, is to approach it where it will most likely succeed.”

He does not believe the country can claim moral high ground with the PCA victory “as most of us are immoral anyway, but the more positive way is that we are winning global opinion.”

He agreed with the tack taken by Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. in urging all concerned to proceed with caution and sobriety after the PCA handed down its ruling.

Ramos also cited various cultural, business, economic and even informal linkages of ordinary people and private groups between claimant nations that can help defuse tensions and promote peace.

He cited his grandson, Christopher Sembrano, who has gained many friends in Vietnam and Taiwan, owing to his studies.