By Modesto P. Sa-onoy
It is not a secret that the President cultivates friendly relations with China to the extent that he directed that the Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States be abrogated. That would please China immensely. However, the President did not take the irreversible road of severance with the United States but his intent slowed down US engagement in the Philippines.
Fortunately, the US does not need bases in the Philippines to continue with its avowed intent to keep the China Sea open to international commerce and prevent the dragoon from territorial ambitions. China rattled its military might but avoided taking on the United States. Thus the sea lanes remain open.
I believe that the uncertainties in the Philippine position in the West Philippine Sea cannot be resolved unless the Chinese government learns to respect the international tribunal that declared the area as part of the Philippines.
If there is one criticism against the President, it is his stance of appeasing China unfortunately at the cost of his standing before the Filipino people.
Former Justice Antonio Carpio has been vocal in his difference with the President but the President had refused to confront him in a public debate when the President himself had thrown the challenge. It would have been a great learning process for the people and could have made clear the wisdom of the President’s appeasement of China.
If indeed the retired generals and colonels had spoken in a critical manner at the presidential posture in relation to this issue that should be a welcome development. This means that our retired military leaders remain active in public affairs. They are well-trained and experienced and their expertise should be welcome. Does not the President tend to appoint former military officers to top executive and administrative posts? This means they are still useful and the nation can continue to profit from their experience.
The public statement attributed to the Advocates for the National Interest should be a welcome move. This means that they are exhausting a peaceful means of resolving a national issue.
That there are known anti-Duterte personalities in this group can only be expected. The President has many critics and he has said so several times but he has been adept in handling his critics.
The membership of known Duterte critics in this group can only be expected. Supposed friends of the President would probably not say anything even if they knew the President is wrong. Criticism is in the nature of a democratic society.
The President’s defenders say the generals who issued the statement should stop calling themselves “Advocates for National Interest. They are “advocates for national insanity. Tell these retired generals and colonels they are being fooled by convicted mutineers.”
However, if the leaders of this group are convicted mutineers, the fact is that they are not in jail and as free men have the freedom to exercise their right whether we agree with them or not. If they are leading us into a “national insanity” then indeed the people should reject them.
On the other hand, is it insanity to call for courage and steadfastness in the face of China’s aggression?
The news report named some of the members of this Advocacy: Ramon Farolan, Renato de Villa, Rodolfo Biazon, Plaridel Abaya, Plaridel Garcia, Niceto Festin, Renato Valencia, Recaredo Sarmiento, Guillermo Cunanan, Mariano Santiago, Melchor Rosales, Alejandro Flores, Eliseo Rio Jr., Emilio Marayag Jr., Alexander Yano, Eduardo Oban, Emmanuel Bautista and Edilberto Adan.
I know some of them but I have yet to see how they can be advocates of national insanity. In fact, I believe they are calling for and showing not only sanity but courage. What is insane is to let China run roughshod of this country without a squeak.
At this point in time, these military leaders are using a peaceful means to call attention to the need for national unity even if the President does not take action. President Duterte will be in office for life but the issue will continue to haunt us long after. The generals and colonels, no matter who is financing or leading them, are men of training, discipline and experience. They are no fools.
