‘So far, so good’

The general prognosis for the majority of Filipinos especially those belonging to the working class like waiters, taxi drivers, office clerks and even college professors is that they definitely approve of what they are hearing and seeing from the president. Barely 10 days since he officially assumed office, the president has managed to assuage some concerns of ordinary Filipinos, like the “tanim bala” (bullet-planting) scheme that has victimized travelers.

Duterte’s solution is simple – people found with bullets in their luggage can still leave as long as they have no criminal intent and no firearm is discovered in their possession. Tanim bala syndicates had better pay heed or else they will find themselves having to eat these bullets – something that the president had “promised.”

The recent appointment of Vice President Leni Robredo as chairman of HUDCC (Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council) was welcomed by many sectors as a signal that President Duterte is indeed the “President of all Filipinos” – putting to rest all doubts that his recent pronouncements create divisiveness in the country.

A Duterte cabinet official told me he is confident that the president will be able to deliver on his promises, and expect him to receive the highest approval rating for the first 30 days in office. The cabinet official says everything has been “so far, so good” – with President Duterte showing he has the “cojones” to do the unprecedented by accusing some PNP generals of being drug protectors.

The fact is, a lot of people have long suspected high-ranking police officers of being involved in illegal drugs but nobody dared to speak out about it openly. Certainly, due process must be observed with the accused being given the chance to defend themselves, but we are told that the president’s information was confirmed and provided by the US Drug Enforcement Administration that has been monitoring the movement of drugs within the Philippines – now dubbed as a “drug smuggler’s haven.”

Aside from porous borders, the involvement of local government officials and the police who receive bribes from drug lords have allowed the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country. Corrupt prosecutors and justices have also led to the dismissal of cases against drug dealers, aside from the fact that some anti-narcotics operatives lack sufficient investigative and legal training to make charges stick.

No doubt the “unorthodox” style of the president makes some people “uncomfortable” but then again, that’s his style, and it seems to keep people on their toes. Security officials are relieved that President Duterte has decided to stay at the Bahay Pangarap in Malacañang – which makes the job a bit easier for those tasked to keep him safe. While many admire his resolve not to be given any preferential treatment – going through the NAIA scanners and taking commercial flights to Davao and back, many are convinced that it is about time the president of this country had his own aircraft.

Previous presidents utilized the old Fokker F27 and F28 from the Philippine Air Force, but these planes are practically like a century old, and securing spare parts is a problem since Fokker has closed down. There was a proposal during the time of President Gloria Arroyo to lease a twin-engine fixed-wing jet that would provide a reliable and efficient means of transport for the president – which can also be used by future presidents. But a similar proposal was blocked in the past by congressmen belonging to the opposition saying it was too ostentatious for a country like the Philippines. However, one cannot put a price tag on the safety and security of the top executive, and correctly so.

It may look like good PR for the president to fly on a commercial plane to go around the country but in reality, it is a security nightmare. The world is very different now especially after 9-11. Getting high value targets are the best samples of how to scare and terrorize a country. As they say, one can never be too careful.

D-Day: July 12

Many countries will be monitoring what will happen on July 12 which is “D-Day” – Decision Day – the day when the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague will be handing down its ruling on the case filed by the Philippines against China’s illegal occupation of disputed territories in the South China Sea including Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippines is hopeful that the decision will be in our favor. The president said he will wait for the ruling of the UN arbitral court as it will also help him determine the next actions to take. Duterte however has indicated his openness to discuss the issue with China – and rightly so since we are not prepared to go to war over the issue. And from indications – like the courtesy call of Ambassador Zhao Jianhua last Thursday – neither is China, which has repeatedly said it wants to maintain peace and stability in the region. 

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg (who hosted his final US Embassy Fourth of July celebration as shown in This Week on PeopleAsia at the Star’s Allure section today) said that whatever the outcome is, the US will continue to support the rule of law. US Navy destroyers have been conducting freedom of navigation operations near the artificial structures illegally put up by China. The US intends to do more in the coming months.

Hopefully, China will soon wake up to the reality that even great powers have to abide by the rule of law. China cannot keep on flouting international law and doing what it wants – and expect “respect” from the community of nations.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]