“All reclamations nationwide should be suspended and reviewed since reclamation affects the environment and also the impact on climate change”
The big question that comes up in connection with the “Battle of Ayungin Shoal” – with both the Philippines and China claiming it as part of their territories — is : Will China continue harassing Philippine vessels that resupply a platoon of marine soldiers staying at an old, vintage World War II warship, the BRP Sierra Madre?
The old warship was intentionally grounded in the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) back in 1999 to serve as an outpost for the Philippines’ claim on the West Philippine Sea, sitting on the Philippine continental shelf in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Chinese continue to swarm the area with Chinese Coast Guard vessels and often with militia vessels aimed at preventing Philippine vessels and even Filipino fisherfolk from going to the area just to earn a living.
First, there was that incident of a Chinese Coast Guard ship aiming a military laser beam at a vessel out to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre.
Then came that recent Chinese Coast Guard ship firing a water cannon at a Philippine vessel out to resupply the marine contingent on board the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.
Santa Banana, will China ever stop bullying the Philippines?
My gulay, we have filed more than 400 verbale and diplomatic protests against China, but China simply ignores them.
I call this “a battle” over Ayungin Shoal amid the constant bullying of the Philippines by China.
There were claims by China that there was a “promise” made for the Philippines to tow away the grounded vessel.
And records seem to show that promise was made during the presidency of Erap Estrada.
Two sons of Erap, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. JV Ejercito, claimed the former President did not make any promises.
Whoever is telling the truth has become immaterial after BBM stated “that claim is rescinded at this moment,” making that debate on whether somebody promised China to have that vintage vessel removed is immaterial, my gulay!
And even a spokesman of the National Security Council appeared to be ignorant of that “promise” when he said the Chinese claim was “just a figment of China’s imagination.”
In any case, President Marcos Jr. said that claim has been rescinded. So, what next?
China now wants to talk to the Philippines over the Ayungin Shoal issue.
Yes, it’s best to have a dialogue to avoid a shooting war with a mighty superpower like China.
But, will talks end China’s bullying of the Philippines?
Of course, they will not.
With that grounded BRP Sierra Madre still at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), I guess the bullying will not stop.
There are also suggestions to build a structure at Ayungin Shoal to signify our claim to that shoal.
Will this work?
Will the US defend us?
Comes the big question: If China decides to invade the Philippines and start shooting, Santa Banana, at us, will the United States come to our aid?
Recall that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty explicitly states that both the US and the Philippines are called upon to defend each other in case of invasion of either one.
But, honestly and truly , will the US come to our aid some 7,000 miles away from mainland US per the MTD?
If the US and China will engage in a shooting war, Santa Banana, that will be the end of the world because it will be a nuclear war with Russia and North Korea aligning themselves with China against the US and against the world.
This scenario is not far-fetched.
I hope and pray it will not.
Personally, I believe the Battle of Ayungin Shoal between China and the Philippines will come to that war. I believe that China is fully aware of the consequences of a nuclear war.
It is for this reason why I believe that China will just continue bullying us till it gets what it wants.
Recall that China already got Scarborough Shoal during the presidency of Pnoy Aquino when Philippine vessels got out of Scarborough Shoal and readily gave way for China to make it its own and even militarize it.
If we ever give in to the demands of China at Ayungin Shoal, Santa Banana, that will be it.
But, I recall what BBM said at his inaugural speech that “I will never give an inch to China.”
But, with China acting the way it is, Santa banana, how can we win?
Cancel all reclamations
The suspension of the 22 reclamation projects of Manila Bay by the President has brought to the fore a lot of questions.
First of all, how come there were 22 reclamations at Manila Bay?
Who or what authorized them?
Note that the sea is part and parcel of the exclusive patrimony of the state, in which case, the Local Government Units do not have the exclusive authority to approve the reclamations.
There are 22 reclamation projects at Manila Bay, my gulay!
I can’t believe it because if these were to succeed, goodbye Manila Bay.
It will be composed of tiny islands.
This problem gets worse because, according to reports, there are no less than 52, I repeat 52, reclamation projects nationwide.
Were all approved by LGUs?
Santa Banana, where does the Department of Environment and Natural Resources come in since reclamations affect the environment?
This is something the President must consider insofar as reclamations are concerned.
Worse, if these reclamations are funded by Chinese business, especially state-owned companies, they constitute a threat to national security.
Like that reclamation project adjoining the United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard when the US Embassy denounced the construction company as blacklisted because it was the same China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) that built those artificial islands at the South China Sea that are now militarized with airfields and ports for submarines.
According to the US Embassy, CCCC was also denounced by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for fraudulent practices.
And, Santa Banana, CCCC was reported to be interested in building the planned bridge that would connect Cavite and Bataan.
My gulay, it’s for this reason why I believe all reclamations nationwide should be suspended and reviewed since reclamation affects the environment and also the impact on climate change.
Mister President, do it quickly before it’s too late.
Turf war
Santa Banana, as a result of the Supreme Court decision which included BGC or the Bonifacio Global City as part and parcel of the City of Taguig, no longer under the jurisdiction of Makati City, the turf war has become worse.
Now, many of the public schools which used to be under the jurisdiction of Makati City are now being claimed by Taguig.
The turf war continues with the opening of public schools this coming August 29 when parents, students and volunteers started their “Brigida Eskwela” in helping clean up the schoolrooms.
Parents and students were reportedly surprised when Taguig city officials started occupying the schools that used to be under Makati City.
There are reports that PTAs or Parent-Teacher Associations that used to be under Makati City prefer to be under the jurisdiction of Makati City Mayor Abby Binay because of the many perks and benefits given to them whenever schools open, like sneakers, shoes, health kits, and many others.
I can believe that, since mayor Binay is known to be always ready to help Makatizens.
Since the turf war continues between the two, it would do well for the Supreme Court to designate which are under the jurisdiction of each city.
How this turf war will resolve remains to be seen. Abangan, as they say.