Duterte flip flops from determined to defeatist against China in final SONA
President Rodrigo Duterte declared his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, Monday at the plenary hall of the Batasang Pambansa. The session was done in hybrid, with some attendees physically present and others joined through video calls.
One of the concerns he addressed was the country’s arbitral win in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Following his statement that the country “will assert what is rightfully ours,” he then asked, ‘Do you want war against China?’
‘Well, I’ll tell you even on the coast, [the] beach of Palawan, before you can take off, the missile of China will be there in about five to 10 minutes. It will be a massacre,’ he added. ‘We are not yet a competent and able enemy of the other side.’
During We The Pvblic‘s West Philippine Sale in June, the satirical live event invited Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and ‘Ang Pamalakaya’ Chairman Ka Pando Hicap to enlighten the viewers on other ways on how the Philippines can still deal with the issue without resorting to war.
We’re holding a live stream to 'claim’ our islands before they’re packed and shipped to China
@macoydubs1 will join us as we all say #MINE!
Stay tuned this June 12, Independence Day, from 6 – 7PM, on our FB page #WestPhilippineSale
Full details: https://t.co/qTD0zoq74L pic.twitter.com/TXYks9JEgj
— We The Pvblic
(@wethepvblic) June 7, 2021
‘No one ever said they want war. History has taught us how painful and bitter a potential conflict would be.’ said Hontiveros. ‘That would be the very, very last option. We are for diplomatic solutions. Let’s be creative in defending what is ours.’
Pangilinan pointed out the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) size, emphasizing that a vast amount of territory is at stake in the dispute. He said, ‘Our EEZ is 500,000 sq km. The entire Philippines is at 300,000 sq km. That’s almost double.’
‘Why then would we choose not to fight for it? Why would we have utang na loob when the area is ours in the first place?’ the lawmaker added.
On the other hand, Ka Pando pointed out the important role of WPS in maintaining the food supply. He said, ‘Many livelihoods depend on the West Philippine Sea.’
‘For example, according to the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), 80% of the supply of galunggong comes from the WPS,’ he added. The chairman also explained that the area used to be a breeding ground because of the rich coral reefs before China reclaimed the area.
Apart from that, Duterte had several other contrasting stances throughout his speech. He mistakenly cited Vice President Leni Robredo when he talked about the infrastructure in Sorsogon, but the VP is from Camarines Sur.
Duterte also claimed that he took away the public’s misery in commuting. However, transportation remains difficult, and Metro Manila happens to have the second-worst traffic congestion in the world.
The SONA lasted for two hours and 43 minutes, making it the longest SONA in the history of Philippine presidents.
Banner: Rappler
The post <b> Duterte flip flops from determined to defeatist against China in final SONA </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.
Source: we the pvblic
No comments