That did not last long

Well, that certainly did not last long. And I was just about to rally behind him. DFA Sec. Locsin issued, or maybe was first reprimanded then coerced into issuing, an apology to China after an expletive-laden tweet for China to leave the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The Chinese foreign ministry did not waste any time calling out the rudeness of the official, most likely knowing President Duterte would not back his official against Beijing. Why would he, right?

And true enough, the presidential spokesman comes out with an official statement where "only the President can use swear words. Nobody can do the same." This essentially leaves Locsin reprimanded like a small child even praising Wang Yi to high heavens along with his apology. It is not new for Locsin to spew his vitriol especially on Filipinos he believes are beneath him. But of course, he apologizes when China calls him out. But if this "no one else can curse but the president" is official policy, where was this about four years ago when almost every official of this administration emulated their leader by giving speeches laced with cuss words, vulgarity, and rudeness?

It was right for Locsin to finally give Beijing a piece of his mind after months of hundreds of Chinese alleged fishing vessels loitering in the WPS and the filing of numerous diplomatic protests which China wipes itself on. And China calling out Locsin for basic manners is rich lest we all forget who the bully and land grabber is. Senator Lacson has called for a review of the country's diplomatic relations after Beijing simply moves its militia around. The Palace is flaunting this administration as the one who chased away seven and then five Chinese fishing ships at Sabina Shoal. Well and good. But that's like saying informal settlers were relocated along one street but not the whole city. Now can they do that in other reefs particularly Scarborough Shoal which is approximately the same distance from a Philippine landmass as Sabina Shoal? According to the geospatial intelligence firm Simularity, around 200 ships are still moored all over the WPS and are not moving at all. What about those?

These Chinese ships are just mocking everything the country does including the protests and what it accuses us of megaphone diplomacy. Senator Drilon countered by saying it was the only way because China uses gunboat diplomacy. Now the country's chief executive comes out saying the country's arbitral victory versus China “a piece of paper” that led to nothing. I'm sure if his administration filed the case and won he would be flaunting that repeatedly. No surprise why China acts the way it does.