"When someone who braves the waves
is more valorous than the one who's absent"
(A note for "Bataan Day" and the recent events in the West Philippine Sea)
At first, this note pays tribute to the courageous veterans of the Second World War. Be it Filipino or American, they fought shoulder to shoulder amidst the growing Imperial Japanese onslaught. And despite numerous deaths in Bataan, Corregidor, to those of the death marches from Mariveles to Capas, they showed what the importance of upholding freedom as all about.
However, in this present situation, this is way too far as despite commemorating, this note is afraid that the virtues of courage, valour, and other traits are lost. That like the heroes people looked upon, they are being venerated, yet without understanding; that the yearning for a country filled with courage as reduced to some bravado showcase. And it is not surprising that under the present administration all as but lost if not watered down by some shallow thought disguised as "pragmatism."
For sure even some amongst supporting Duterte never wanted to fail the country, even prayed that his ways be mended and guided by some conscience; but the fact that he acted meek and vassal-like towards Beijing and at the same time stupidly despotic to his countrymen shows that his statements commemorating the courage of Filipino veterans in Bataan as all but nothing except a press release ment to “appease”. That he, and his camarilla as a very opposite of those from 1942 to 1945 bravely fought and died for the flag and for the people. These folks took arms, joined the ranks, some even escaped the death marches and battling off both the Japanese and Malaria just to earn their badge of heroism. But how about Duterte and his apologists? They are courageous only in their keyboards, at times trying to distort truths just to claim theirs as right. Not surprising that they would really resort to false reports just to defend their idol amidst popular criticism.
Yet, the fact that they refused to comment on the current worsening situation shows that the regime as not serious in upholding sovereignty, and at worst, willing to give up sovereignty for a pittance.
In fact, this note expressed praise to Filipinos who braved the waves just to expose the status of Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. That amidst the waters and of the Chinese Militia chasing small civilian boats with their guided missile vessels, these Filipinos, reminiscent of the veterans of Bataan and Corregidor showed their will to fight- that the reefs and shoals occupied by China are part of a nation's sovereign right, all despite silence from Malacañang. On the contrary to those from the palace, thanks to the Foreign Affairs Department and the Department of National Defence for sending their statements condemning the Chinese deployment of 220 armed vessels in the contested sea and its recent actions, this shows how some concerned officials willing to take the risk of being chided just to assert the country's sovereign rights.
No matter the order tries to appease the folk with China's numerous contributions, that this reckless appeasement with its big power master has destabilised not just the Philippines but the entire Southeast Asia. For the apologist it doesn't matter about that cost of environmental damage brought by the Chinese nor the decision of UNCLOS favouring the Philippines by telling various justifications ranging from "weak armed forces" to those of "pragmatism" with words like "winning friendships".
But the fact that the Chinese intrusion has cost the national marine ecosystem billions of pesos of irreparable environmental damage, the administration's "appeasement" moves is itself foolish and driven by delusions given by the Chinese as Duterte himself is clearly persuaded by China’s “vaccine diplomacy,” false promises of “economic investments”, and others that is, all at the expense of national sovereignty.
Again these self-proclaimed 'pragmatists' would claim about patriotism by favouring China over those of the United States. What a crappy humor then for not all patriots would simply thought about favouring Uncle Sam over Fu Manchu in regards to this serious issue. Of course, there are those who cry for Uncle Sam's assistance, but, God willing, that most would chose to stand up for themselves in condemning the Chinese intrusion over the contested territory what more of its militarisation, that neither from Uncle Sam or Fu Manchu, Wall Street or from Shanghai Bund should dictate Juan de la Cruz- knowing that the country isn't helpless, it only needs a serious attention, a principle, and a sound flex of a muscle enough to back an international arbitral ruling if not a will to go beyond the dictates of east and west.
For now, the absent-minded tyrant rather chose to be mum if not prefers the comforts of his space. Thinking about his pet agendas than those of the folk, be it this COVID19 pandemic problem to those of this sovereignty issue with China, for the tyrant himself it is less of a matter compared to his favourite drug war and of silencing the opposition.