Defending Beijing is betraying our nation
For years now, China has been violating international law by continuing to encroach on the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that clearly established its so-called nine-dash line had no basis, and that the area was part of the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone and sea territory.
China’s moves take on many forms. It has resorted to the use of water cannons, sideswiped vessels, harassed fisherfolk, and frontline military personnel, among others.
All these have not escaped Filipinos’ attention, thanks to our government’s transparency strategy when it comes to incidents in the WPS. As a result, nearly nine out of 10 Filipinos distrust China or view it as the greatest external threat to our country, according to recently conducted surveys by Pulse Asia and Octa Research.
Unfortunately, the struggle does not only take place in the sea. More and more now, there have been discourses that promote the Chinese narrative, asserting China’s sovereignty, casting the Philippines as the aggressor and the one initiating provocative action. These discourses also allege that the responses of the Philippines are the doing of the United States.
The disinformation has become so prevalent, designed to make even Filipinos believe the spin. Worse, some become part of an army of trolls who push coordinated inauthentic behavior—for financial consideration.
Over at the august halls of Congress, it is indeed a tragic thing when instead of being united in defending our country against China’s bullying, our politicians themselves disagree about the issue. We have seen many so-called public servants actually parrot China’s narrative. Some Philippine officials sound more like puppets mouthing talking points of the Chinese embassy, instead of championing the interest of their constituents. Many others attack advocates who defend the 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
What a gross disservice to the nation. What a betrayal of the responsibility they swore to uphold.
A recent statement by the Chinese embassy, posted on its website, openly attacks Philippine officials and institutions defending our rights. Even the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which bears the brunt of maritime encounters, has been unfairly maligned. Such attacks are out of step with public sentiment: another nationwide survey shows the AFP enjoys 76 percent public trust, reflecting Filipinos’ recognition of its role in defending lives, livelihoods, and sovereignty.
Of course, China could be expected to say these things. Aggressors always find a way to defend their actions and somehow portray themselves as victims.
What is unconscionable is that some Filipinos, for whatever reason, are propagating the false narratives online despite evidence to the contrary. Not content with this, they attack those who do defend our interests.
At the Senate, nine senators refused to join their colleagues who issued a condemnation not only of China’s acts but its words against our people. They chose not to stand with our people, but against them. These nine senators continue to hold their ground even in the face of overwhelming public distrust of China. Some members of the House of Representatives are using the same rhetoric.
They renege on their vow to uphold national interest. At a time when the country faces coordinated external pressure, failing to defend the Philippines only enables foreign interference and undermines the very institutions they swore to protect.
Beyond political colors and personal loyalties, Filipinos must stand together in defense of what is ours as provided by international law. Sovereignty is not a partisan issue. Standing with the Filipino people, Filipino fisherfolk, and international law is the only credible position for a nation that claims to value its future.
Such behavior represents a conscious abandonment of its vested responsibility. They must remember that history has never been kind to those who choose a foreign aggressor over their own people.
The 2016 arbitral award, an integral piece of international law, is final and binding, and it decisively rejected China’s so-called “historic rights” claims. No amount of rhetorical deflection or online intimidation can overturn that legal reality.
Indeed, defending China is a betrayal; staying silent is complicity. We now want to ask our leaders: why do they stand where they stand? Where is the public’s interest in their position? And how dare they receive their salaries from the hard-earned taxes of the people they have betrayed?
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Dindo Manhit is the CEO and managing director of Stratbase Group.
