Gunboat diplomacy

BY REY O. ARCILLA

MALAYA

‘China’s behavior and pronouncements bring to mind the time when she was once the victim of gunboat diplomacy. Now, she is the one engaging in it. Pity.’

CHINA is now acting the part of the big power that she is. Her behavior has become no different from the western imperial powers that once treated her with the same contempt that she now dishes out to her smaller neighbors, particularly those that have claims over islets and atolls in the South China Sea, including the ones owned by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

Gale Encyclopedia defines gunboat diplomacy, thus:

“Gunboat Diplomacy can be defined in a general way as any aggressive diplomatic activity carried out with the implicit or explicit use of military (usually naval) power. However, the term is most often associated with the activities of the Great Powers in the second half of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. In this period, the construction of steel-hulled vessels of relatively shallow draught (gunboats) that were heavily armed provided new opportunities for the projection of power on the part of rival imperial powers.” (Under the “unequal treaties” with China, the US, Japan and various European powers were allowed to cruise China’s rivers, particularly the Yangtze, and engage in gunboat diplomacy. The Yangtze is China’s longest river and very important to commerce. They also patrolled coastal waters, protecting their citizens, their property and their religious missions.)

As the second most economically powerful nation in the world today, China can easily afford to be magnanimous instead of being heavy-handed in dealing with her neighbors. Resorting to gunboat diplomacy which she accused the United States of doing last year diminishes her credibility in the eyes of not only the claimants to the Spratlys, but also of the members of the international community.

Last November, the US resorted to gunboat diplomacy when President Barack Hussein Obama sent an aircraft carrier strike force to the Yellow Sea, after the North Korean attack on a South Korean island in the vicinity.

As the Christian Science Monitor said, “it irritated China because it is an area which she claims to be part of her watery turf, which may be the point. Beijing needs to rein in its wily ally.”

And it worked. North Korea has since been eerily quiet after Kim Jong Il was summoned to Beijing following the incident.

***

It was awfully naïve of the Aquino administration to even think the US will come to our rescue under the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty in case of a shooting fray between us and China over the Spratlys issue. To begin with, that Treaty has no automatic retaliation clause should a third party attack any one of the treaty partners. Such help will be extended only in accordance with the constitutional processes of either party.

Naïve… Our leaders should by now realize that a confrontation between China and the US over the Spratlys issue will not happen in the foreseeable future. Witness the most recent statement of the US saying that the issue should be settled peacefully among the claimants through diplomacy and negotiations. It was a far cry from the earlier statement that said the US has an interest in the settlement of the dispute and is ready and willing to play her part. Immediately, she was told by China to butt out.

The reason for the shift in US stance is really quite obvious. China is the biggest creditor of the US to the tune of, some say, at least $1.3 trillion. Imagine what would happen to the US economy should China decide to sell off some or all of her US holdings and stop recycling her export earnings from her biggest customer (US) into US treasury bills.

Of course, the US is not without her own adequate bargaining leverage. She still has the most powerful armed forces in the world and the mightiest naval fleet in the region. But her naval supremacy and invincibility will not last indefinitely, what with the US economy still unable to come out of the pits and China fast developing her own naval forces.

Then again, there is the possibility, as some cynics say, of the US and China now being in cahoots with each other for the purpose of promoting their respective interests in the region.

Whatever… at the end of the day, we simply have to fend for ourselves and not rely on anyone else. We are not entirely defenseless in the face of China’s military might. The first thing we have to do is never waver in our claim over the Kalayaan island group which by any measure of ownership is ours, and our firm determination to defend it against all odds. Second, we should forthwith enhance our presence and fortify our defenses in the area. We are not without resources to do these. Our military establishment simply has to walk Noynoy’s “daang matuwid”.

***

In contrast to a couple of previous “hello and goodbye” visits to the Consular Office on Macapagal Boulevard, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario reportedly “lingered” in the premises a bit more last Friday to observe the goings-on in the place. (I wrote about the passport mess last week.) I understand he even promised to attend the usual Monday flag raising ceremony (yesterday’s) at the consular premises, instead of the one in the main building on Roxas Boulevard.

“It’s about time,” commented one insider. “He is not exactly visible to the rank and file of the Department. They do not feel his presence at all.” No specific reason was given for the observation but Del Rosario does project that distant and aloof mien.

The question is will Del Rosario’s most recent visit to the consular office result in better and faster passport service. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Wrote another DFA insider:

“Until now, ‘dine-dedma’ ni Del Rosario some of the things you have written about like the refusal of Michael Macaraig to turn over the funds of the DFA Personnel Association to its newly elected president. Pera namin ‘yun, bakit ayaw n’yang pakialaman? Sino pa ang tutulong sa amin? At bakit ayaw niyang paimbistigahan ‘yung alleged anomaly sa hiring ng service cars for asecs at usecs? Pati na rin ‘yung recent expose’ n’yo tungkol dun sa embassy house sa Baghdad being maintained, eh wala pala naman tayong diplomatic mission dun for the last seven years. At dalawa ang ambassador natin sa Amman? Nakakahiya! Tulad n’yo, kami po ay nagtataka rin kung bakit ayaw aksyonan ng SFA ang mga ito. Takot yata talaga kay Seguis na halatang nag-aaruga kay Macaraig. Walang may gusto kay Seguis sa Department kundi ‘yung kanyang mga alalay. Ngayon, pati na rin yata ang SFA, alalay na ni Seguis.”

Del Rosario should take heed of such comments. Sooner or later, he will have to take the bull by the horns and pay close and personal attention to the issues and situations that afflict his turf. His seeming aversion to dealing with controversial matters will ultimately reflect on his effectiveness as head of his department. But if that is his real wont, he can always ask Seguis and the other undersecretaries beyond 65 to finally retire and replace them with younger ones who would be able to help him run things better. Does he care enough for the DFA to do that? Let’s watch what happens, as his boss’ favorite song goes.

***

Noynoy’s apparent tendency to protect his buddies no matter what is a cause for serious concern. But even more serious over which he should really be concerned is his bosses’, the people, growing perception that his “walang corrupt, walang mahirap” and “daang matuwid” thrust is losing steam and direction. Take for instance the following –

Reminders (for Noynoy’s action):

1) Filing of charges against the previous administration’s National Food Administration officials for the anomalous importation of rice. (Noynoy himself said there is documentary evidence to prove the anomaly.)

The report that the NFA lost a mind-boggling P100 billion in the last 10 years should spur Noynoy to go after those responsible for that grievous crime against his bosses, the people.

2) Facilitating the investigation of the rampant corruption in the military, including the recently uncovered anomaly in gas allowances.

3) Expeditious action by the AFP on the case of Jonas Burgos.

4) Preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice of the graft complaint filed late last year by Bayan Muna against Gloria Arroyo in connection with the aborted $329 million ZTE-NBN deal.

5) Investigation of the reported anomalies in the GSIS during the watch of Winston Garcia and the scandalous allowances and excessive benefits the members of the Board of Trustees allotted themselves (P11 million each) in 2009 alone.

Reports that the GSIS has stopped giving housing loans to members due to lack of funds gives urgency to Noynoy ordering the new GSIS management to act expeditiously on cases to be lodged against Garcia.

***

From an internet friend:

While shopping in a food store, two nuns happen to pass by the beer cooler. One nun said to the other, “Wouldn’t a nice cool beer or two taste wonderful on a hot summer evening?”

The second nun answered, “Indeed, it would, Sister, but I would not feel comfortable buying beer as I am certain it would cause a scene at the checkout stand.”

“I can handle that without a problem,” she replied as she picked up a six-pack and headed for the checkout counter.

The cashier had a surprised look on his face when the two nuns arrived with a six-pack of beer. “We use beer for washing our hair,” the nun said. “A shampoo of sorts, if you will.”

Without blinking an eye, the cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a package of pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag with the beer. He than looked the nun straight in the eye, smiled and said, “The curlers are on the house.”

***

Today is the 47th day of the fifth year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.

Here’s hoping that the Department of Justice will act expeditiously on the complaint-affidavit filed by Jonas’ mother, Edita, against Army Major Harry Baliaga for arbitrary detention based on the findings of the Commission on Human Rights identifying him as Jonas’ “primary abductor”.

***

Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com