A threat of war
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the agreement between President Duterte and China President Xi Jinping where Duterte allowed Chinese fishermen to enter our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was verbal, informal, valid, and binding.
Their fishermen may not be banned from our EEZ because of said agreement supposedly made in 2016. Panelo added that the government's obligation was to serve and protect the Filipino people which is also stated in the Constitution.
This is the basis as to why Duterte allowed China into the EEZ; to prevent a possible war which the country cannot win. Then why doesn’t China allow our fishermen to enter the lagoon of Panatag Shoal? If indeed we are friends, why are they being turned away if they come too close to the lagoon?
Does it set a precedent where whatever China wants China gets, since we cannot possibly win a war against them? This seems to be the rationale behind Duterte’s agreement with the Asian giant. Does it mean whenever Beijing wants something from the country and we resist, the threat of war immediately comes to bear? How far will the administration bend its back to accommodate China? Is the provision regarding our EEZ in our Constitution meaningless whenever China is concerned, where no less than President Duterte has described those who cite the provision as “thoughtless and senseless”?
Obviously, the administration wants to end this issue. The same may be said of China. This is probably why PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde has stepped in by saying that they will obey Duterte's order to jail those who will file impeachment cases against him, and in the same breath clarifying only if they see a violation of the law. Exactly what law does filing an impeachment case violate? Albayalde offered libel or sedition as possible violations. Really?
How does one become libelous or seditious by filing an impeachment case? Then, in his second day as a lawmaker, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa echoes General Albayalde’s view, showing that he has not totally removed the mantle of a police officer extremely loyal to Duterte. Lawyers in the country are probably shaking their heads in disbelief. It is clear the PNP now serves as Duterte’s personal police force, and not the people’s.
So there you have it. There is an agreement that cannot be broken, even if our fishermen are at an obvious disadvantage with bigger and better Chinese fishing boats combing our EEZ. One word from Duterte and the PNP springs into action, arresting anyone filing an impeachment case against him. Even though the provision of the Constitution on our EEZ is clear, China’s wishes must be granted, lest we face a threat of war.
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