An intriguing theory

What pushed President Duterte to side with China?

China for a fact is the world’s largest producer and distributor of shabu and cocaine and other illegal substances. Trading in illegal substances is one of China’s billion-dollar earners.

And the Philippines is not really a big drug market, but it is a strategic transfer point to America and other parts of the world. Small-fry drug dealers who are now incarcerated were part of the business, together with politicians and police enforcers.

Previous administrations benefited from this illegal trade business. The silence of Fidel V. Ramos, Erap Estrada, Gloria Arroyo and Noynoy Aquino during their respective terms as president could be construed as indirect involvement. Mr. Duterte, for his part, has to make a compact with China as a way of saying, “he will not be engaged in a blame game.”

On the other hand, the top guns of China might have dossiers or information pertaining to Mr. Duterte’s possible connection with the Chinese government about the illegal drug trade. Davao Port, after all, is conducive as a landing point.

And the Chinese government may be holding this information as its ace card so it can dictate on Mr. Duterte as to what he should do against America, the United Nations, the Holy See and the European Union. This is, of course, only a theory, which looks possible though it sounds impossible.

And Mr. Duterte is getting good grades (trust ratings) for his fight against the drug menace—a fight that could be interpreted as a way of covering up or defending himself (the best defense is offense) against this “unbelievable theory.”

ISIDRO C. VALENCIA, Taguig City