Get behind them

It took two former officials to file a case against Chinese President Xi Jinping at the International Criminal Court (ICC), for "crimes against humanity", on behalf of the “persecuted and injured Filipino fishermen brought about by China’s aggressive island-building in the West Philippine Sea, waters that are within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.” Former DFA secretary Albert del Rosario and former ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales filed the case, something this administration would not dare do.

Not surprisingly, the reaction of the administration was to belittle the case, even calling it a futile exercise. Some senators also chimed in agreement. President Duterte may be bristling at the two former officials, not to mention them coming from the previous administration which has been demonized to the hilt. We all know Duterte is approaching China for practically everything --money, projects, weapons. He even has another official visit to China, his fourth in three years. On the other hand, supporters of Del Rosario and Morales are well-known oppositionists or administration critics.

Senator Panfilo Lacson is calling on every Filipino to get behind the “patriotic move on the part of ex-Ombudsman Morales and former DFA Secretary Del Rosario that deserves the support of every freedom-loving Filipino whose duty is to protect and preserve our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Lacson adds that in the event of a favorable ruling from the ICC, the country’s position with regards to the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration would be strengthened. The filing of the case with the ICC also shines a light on China’s “bad behavior,” as Lacson puts it. This should have been a long time ago, but because the direction of the administration is different, nobody dares tell China that what they are doing is wrong.

Our fishermen have been struggling ever since the Chinese gained control of Panatag Shoal. They cannot enter the lagoon where fishing is much better. Because a lot of them have to remain in areas outside the lagoon, they end up competing among themselves for the meager catches. With the filing of the case, they are also worried of retaliation by the Chinese. If that is what China will do, they will only prove their oppression and persecution towards our fishermen, which in turn will be seen by everyone.

This is what can be done with regards to China’s bullying and island-building, and grabbing in the South China Sea. One need not go to war to stress a point or state facts. Too bad that is what the administration thinks. A good friend and neighbor would not have to resort to bullying or scare tactics with regards to fishermen trying to eke out a living. The world needs to see that, and hopefully, with the help of the ICC, act.