THE continued Chinese encroachment and militarization activities in Philippine seas and the declaration issued by President Rodrigo Duterte indicate that our identity and sovereignty are being tested once again. Duterte, in his own words, said that Chinese President Xi Jinping will not allow him to be ousted.
Are we facing the challenges of modern day colonization? Reclamation here and there until we get tired of complaining to the United Nations Tribunal? Is this the hidden agenda of the Chinese government?
Roland San Juan wrote “China’s Colonization of the Philippines,” where he showed how China methodically tried to materialize Xi Jinping’s dream for China which is to revive Imperial China that had maintained Chinese hegemony in Asia during the reign of the Ming Dynasty.
News reports kept us updated on how China turned some shoals in our Philippine seas into artificial islands and built airfields indicating militarization with the presence of warships. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano assured Filipinos that the diplomatic approach is a better option than being confrontational with China vis-à-vis Chinese reclamation in disputed territories. The Senate would like to look into recent events wherein the catch of three fishermen was taken by the Chinese Coast Guard. There are conflicting reports on what really transpired.
Filipinos seem to be given roundabout responses by the government. Are we being treated as second class citizens in our own country? Filipinos have to go abroad to earn a decent income. Some of our citizens have to wear clothes from “ukay-ukay.” We try to look dignified even if circumstances seem to put us in a precarious situation. Do we have to lose our sovereignty as well?
For decades now, we have allowed “Chinoy” investors to monopolize almost all aspects of our Philippine economy. Who owns and operates our banking and lending institutions? Our airlines and shipping companies? Our malls and supermarkets? We cannot blame them for being entrepreneurial since Chinese have always been known to be business-minded. They also have the capital. This is reality.
Should we all start learning Mandarin? Modern day colonization by reclamation activities in our Philippine seas threatens our sovereignty. What are our options? Our government’s reaction to every development as far as Chinese encroachment is concerned seems passive. Is there wisdom in being so? Maybe, since we are not equipped to fight it out.