CONCEDE THE OWNERSHIP BUT NOT THE SOVEREIGNTY, SAY WHAT??

Perhaps by now, the issue of territorial disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea have been broadcasted, dissected and analyzed several times that no need for elaborate background information is needed. Simply put, the Philippines claim that we have the full two hundred nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in Palawan. With this being said, the disputed zones are our own and should be under the Philippines sovereignty.

               

The most talked about concern as of now is a presidential candidate’s statement  on conceding the claim to ownership over these EEZs in order to stay in good favor with Asia’s giant which is China. Better yet, the statements from his camp claims that in exchange of the ownership, at least 3 major train lines should be made. I felt the bile in my mouth.

For a first time voter, I am seriously at lost for words. Being taught from a young age the unyielding and commendable characteristics and the sacrifices of our national heroes I have always envisioned my country to be led by men and women of the same caliber. Men and women ready to fight for what makes the country great and never to kowtow to foreign powers and international pressure. Heck, they gave their lives for the freedom of the nation, and in no other circumstances could I imagine them throwing away their pride and dignity.

It was perhaps the best decision of the Aquino administration to bring the case of the territorial disputes to the arbitral tribunal in The Hauge, Netherlands. When all is said and done according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the best next move of the country is to wait. There and then, the responsibility to continue the fight of protecting our land and interest therefore lies on the next president of the country. I, together with the millions of Filipinos here and in abroad, will not allow a part of our mother land to be sold in exchange of something that is rightfully our prerogative. In this case, the EEZs in Palawan for a decent network of transportation.

                That is why I had to read and reread several times the statements issued by Duterte.  According to him “We will not insist on the ownership” of the EEZs but then he clarified that he will not relinquish the Philippines’ sovereign right over the West Philippine Sea.  As far as my understanding serves me correctly, not insisting ownership is the same as giving up the sovereign rights. If it is, then him winning the upcoming presidential elections will open a possibility of a divided Philippines, the country where the man sworn to protect the land actually gave away the land that needed protecting. Pathetic.

               

Another possibility that we should prepare for is the government’s claim for the likely joint explorations with China, Duterte even said that if the Philippines cannot put up the needed capital and technology to start the exploration over the disputed areas, he would like it if China builds three major railways for the country in return. He also insinuated that if it is the only thing he can get from the disputes, then he is done. If he wins for presidency, it is obvious that he can settle, and he will settle. In this case, the settlement is to the detriment of the country.

               

However, given the case that the country can supply its share of proper capital and technology, China had already insisted that no negotiations will be made until the Philippines recognizes China’s ownership and therefore sovereignty over the disputed area. No matter how I try to look at it, the only way we could make it through this whole and undivided is for the favorable decision from The Hague.

If it is inevitable that Duterte wins the presidential elections this year, then many questions were left unanswered. In the case of Mayor Duterte, his camp should have a definite plans on how to strike an arrangement with China without surrendering the Philippines’ sovereignty and ownership over the disputed EEZs and the camp should also decide on how to handle the final decision of the international tribunal in terms of opening bilateral talks and agreements.

What am I driving into? As a Filipino who continues to dream for a better nation, I would like my countrymen to not take the upcoming elections so lightly. This is a matter of national and international relations and the statement “a lot is at stake” barely describes it. Candidates vying for local and national positions should be enormously scrutinized and their policies and programs should be evaluated according to the current and future needs of the country and its people. Remember, if the Filipinos are worth dying for, the Philippines then is worth every single sensible vote there is. Vote for the people who would protect our nation and uphold its laws. Not for people who blatantly disrespects it. Vote sensibly.