A threat to PH sovereignty

The Department of Labor and Employment has accused a Filipino overseas worker in Taiwan of cyberlibel for a post criticizing President Duterte. It called for the OFW’s deportation, but Taiwan refused. What did presidential spokesperson Harry Roque say? “It’s really a decision to be made by Taiwanese authorities, which forms part of China. We leave that wholly to the jurisdiction of Taiwan and China. Taiwan is part of China.”

Taiwan has exercised jurisdiction over its land since 1949. China has never had sovereignty over Taiwan. Roque, a former International Law professor, neglects to see this, and his statement is a window to the Duterte administration’s stance on China.

However its minions twist it, the Duterte administration is pro-China. It continues to acquiesce to China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s protests are too little, too late. In 2016, the Philippines won the arbitration case filed in The Hague to protest China’s claims. But since the start of Mr. Duterte’s term, there has been no enforcement of it.

China continues to be a bully hoping to establish as fact its fictional nine-dash line. Its embassy in Manila recently produced propaganda under the guise of a unity song. Its recent operations in the WPS means it’s not willing to give up anything. Not its pride. Not its fictional claim. Not its stolen territory.

Roque’s Taiwan statement reveals the government’s pro-China stance. It disrespects the government of Tsai Ing-wen, president of Taiwan, who ran on a successful anti-China campaign. It insults Taiwan’s people who voted for and believes in Tsai’s stance. Roque’s statement is reckless and he should apologize. But this will not happen under the Duterte administration. It is pro-China, after all.

If the government cannot respect other countries’ sovereignty, how can they respect ours? Roque’s statement is a summary of the government’s silly China-first foreign policy. Excuses about his statement will be made. Damage control will be resorted to. But know that the government’s failure to recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty is a threat to our country’s sovereignty.

Rodel James Diana,
Assistant Instructor
University of San Carlos
Cebu City