At his second state-of-the-nation address (SONA) , President Bongbong Marcos reiterated , for all the world to hear, his diplomatic policy for the country for the next five years. “We will be a friend to all and not an enemy to anyone”, he said.
China, apparently, was quick on the uptake. A day or two after the SONA speech, a high-ranking Chinese military official made an incredible offer. “Why don’t we hold a joint military exercise”, the official offered the new head of the Philippine Army?
No details on the proposal were revealed. No answer was made, in favor or not, from any official from the Philippine military establishment, much less from PBBM himself who is the country’s commander-in chief.
It’s dicey, even batty, according to Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City who strongly opposed the idea. It’s a risky proposition from a neighbor who has continually violated Philippine sovereignty at the West Philippines Sea and willfully defies the Arbitral Ruling on the Philippine territorial claims in the WPS or the South China Sea.
In the context of how the congressman thinks of what China’s actions are, in connection with that ruling, China is not exactly a friend, whatever the diplomatic definition PBBM has in mind about friendship. Rodriguez may not exactly disagree with PBBM on his diplomacy vis-à-vis China, but he won’t go as far as allowing a joint exercise.
The unspoken fear that the Chinese will just attempt a deceptive sneak on the secrets of the Philippine military isn’t a stretch of the imagination. Chinese had recently flown a huge balloon over the United States which it shot down over the sea because it said it was meant to spy on the US military. No such balloon seen over the Philippines because the Chinese don’t probably need it.
China probably knows more than what they need in terms of Philippine military capability in case of a conflict. The Philippines promptly announces its recent military acquisitions, from ships to aircraft, to modernize its armed forces,and it doesn’t get a hoot from China. It’s David shouting for Goliath to hear he has new pebbles on his sling. Goliath is unperturbed.
When the US was allowed by PBBM to increase its bases in the Philippines to beef up its effort to monitor or counter the hegemonic actions by China, Chinese officials vehemently protested, even ramped up the bellicose noise about the so-called invasion of Taiwan. A Chinese ambassador was even summoned by PBBM in Malacanang to explain a statement concerning the safety of OFWs in that island.
The latest Chinese overture about a joint military drill may not be a military strategy at all. The US and the Philippines have been at it for the longest time, even during the term of PBBM’s predecessor. To be sure, it would had have a military implication. But that’s not it.
China may be humoring PBBM on his sincerity about his state’s diplomatic policy. He is ‘, after all, the new American friend , the quintessential Amboy, in the neighborhood as opposed to a tried and tested China boy who preceded him. Perhaps he can extend the same gesture of friendship to a neighbor who has been calling herself a true friend.Typhoon “Egay” has just devastated a part of the country, and China has proved to be among the first to extend their help to the victims.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte has said it the past. China is a true friend, especially during the pandemic when it sent millions of doses of the anti-COVID vaccine that boosted the immunity of millions of Filipinos, particularly Duterte’s official security men. Duterte even oozed with abundant admiration for the Chinese’s high intelligence.
The last time the world saw him, the man who nearly brought democracy to the brink, he was enjoying a one-on-one meeting with China’s leader Xi Jing Ping in Beijing. The timing created a wild buzz, locally and internationally, The International Criminal Court had just decided it would go on its delayed probe on the alleged crime against humanity in the Philippines due the war-on drugs during the Duterte’s watch. Was it a mere coincidence?
The avuncular Chinese leader is definitely a huge assurance to Duterte, in case. He has made clear his great respect, if not awesome fear, for him, time and again. The man is head and shoulder above him. And he is kind. China is vast and powerful. There is no need– in fact, it’s a silly idea—to start a arm-wrestle with him. He has vowed not to vow to ICC or any court but his country’s. PBBM and other political allies have rallied behind his cause. They would not throw him under the bus. What would the Philippines be without Duterte as a special envoy, said the impressionable Cayetano, to China or as a trusted friend of Xi? The additional bases of the Americans are no match for the influence of the former President.
China’s former premier Deng Shiao PIng, who started his country’s path to unprecedented rise to economic power by liberalizing the southern coast, left a political dictum that may have inspired the latest Chinese offer, or joke, if you will. “It doesn’t matter what the color of the cat is”, he said, “as long as the it catches mice.”
PBBM has confessed his eternal loyalty to the US like a highly smitten lover when he said that he could not see the future without her on his side. As loyal is Duterte who feels better with Xi on his side. Deng and Xi agrees ideologically with both means and ends. In the end, the saying goes, China will win.
So far, while PBBM waxes with his peaceable posture and Duterte maintain his unflagging devotion, if not obeisance, to China, Filipino fishermen are harassed by Chinese militias in the WPS and China’s unbridled incursions into Philippine territories keep lawmakers on their feet or toes.
The latest joke may be a red, no pun intended, herring.
