China must be a 2022 election issue

Chinese aggression certainly qualifies as a matter of urgent concern for all Filipinos. It is thus incumbent upon every Filipino to consider this passage written by Apolinario Mabini in The True Decalogue:

“Strive for the independence of your country, because you alone can have a real interest in her aggrandizement and ennoblement, since here independence will mean your own freedom, her aggrandizement your own perfection, and her ennoblement your own glory and immortality.”

The administration has registered the standard rejoinder to China’s most recent display of naval domination in West Philippine Sea. Experts and scholars can debate about the effectiveness of the Philippine government’s official response, but ultimately Filipinos must realize this problem cannot be addressed by any administration alone. Each and every citizen must bear the responsibility of protecting the national sovereignty.

Indeed, can Filipinos just sit idly by while their national territory is constantly threatened by a foreign super power? Should they choose to be mere passive observers as interlopers corrupt their political system? Should they just simply suppress their fury and rage while another nation actively destroys a vital food source?

Or should Filipinos heed the words of Mabini and vigorously defend the independence of their country? Should they be more engaged and expressive in protecting their interests in the WPS? Should they be more vocal and enthusiastic in repelling foreign interference in their electoral process?

Just like Katipuneros of yore, a point of reckoning now confronts Filipino voters. The possibility of mustering a collective response to the foreign threat must now be thoroughly discussed during this election cycle. Citizens must demand all candidates for public office to proclaim a clear and firm stance in this matter. And the allocation of votes should depend on the declarations and explanations proffered by these politicians.

But making the need for a national China policy an election issue means voters must study this subject very well. Filipinos must put serious effort in separating fact from propaganda. This is not an easy task given the proliferation of disinformation in social media on this very topic.

As an introductory text, Filipinos can read the book, Rock Solid: How the Philippines Won Its Maritime Case against China. Here is an interesting excerpt about the intermingling of politics and policy behind the scenes:

“These events show that major decisions such as establishing a Philippine presence in contested islands could not be sustained by the advocacy of one member of the Cabinet. Thus, while Estrada took one step forward with Ayungin, he also took one step backward in the case of Scarborough.

Siazon, Estrada’s Foreign Secretary, led the opposition to running the ship aground in Scarborough. Mercado recalled that Siazon’s dream of replacing Secretary General Kofi Annan at the UN may have been a factor in his taking such a position. “This was known in the Cabinet as some of his colleagues gently ribbed him about it,” Mercado mused, and Siazon may not have wanted to displease China whose support he may have needed in his potential UN bid.” [p.18]

Filipinos can also watch the lectures of former Justice Antonio Carpio online. But fair warning, these are really formal talks and convey a ton of information about the issue. Listening to them is definitely an academic exercise and should not be taken lightly. In fact, it would be advisable to watch them in a classroom setup. And holding a moderated discussion after the viewing would be optimal.

Citizens arming themselves with knowledge and insight is a complete rebuff of the view that the Philippines is inutile against Chinese interference and aggression. Going to war with a predatorial nation is not inevitable as this administration would like to believe. But preparing the population for the possibility of war is not a bad idea either. Harkening to Mabini’s call to strive for national independence, this is arguably the duty of every Filipino.