Mayor Baste Duterte's recent statements misrepresent the Philippines' balanced approach to China and the root causes of tensions in the West Philippine Sea. His two key claims—that using Chinese products implies support for economic cooperation over military confrontation, and that tensions in the WPS stem solely from U.S.-China great... power competition—reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of our national interests. Mayor Duterte's suggestion that everyday Filipinos using Chinese-made goods (such as clothing or electronics) should somehow accept economic cooperation as a substitute for confronting China's aggression in the WPS is a false equivalence. Our bilateral engagement with the PRC is multifaceted: it includes robust economic partnerships in trade, investment, and infrastructure, which we actively pursue and have not abandoned. However, these ties do not—and must not—compromise our territorial integrity or the rights enshrined in the 2016 Arbitral Award and UNCLOS. Standing firm against China's illegal claims and aggressive actions in the WPS is not an "either-or" choice between commerce and confrontation. It is a non-negotiable assertion of Philippine agency as an independent sovereign nation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration has demonstrated this balance: we continue to trade with China while enhancing our defensive posture. His attribution of WPS conflicts to "great power competition" between the U.S. and China oversimplifies the issue and absolves the aggressor. While superpower dynamics play a role in the broader Indo-Pacific, the immediate flashpoints in the WPS—such as the blocking of Philippine resupply missions in previous years or the harassment of Filipino fishing vessels—are direct results of China's excessive maritime claims and aggressive tactics. These actions have victimized ordinary Filipino fishermen, denying them access to traditional fishing grounds within our exclusive economic zone, long before any escalation in U.S. involvement. This is not a proxy war orchestrated by Washington; it is a violation of international law by Beijing. Filipino fisherfolk from Pangasinan, Mindoro, Palawan, and Zambales have faced water cannons, laser blinding lights, and vessel ramming—not because of American warships, but because of China's monstrous coast guard vessels and maritime militia enforcing fictitious sovereignty. Our response under President Marcos reflects national resolve, not external puppeteering; it includes diplomatic protests, multilateral advocacy, and bolstering our own capabilities through the AFP and PCG. Mayor Duterte’s narrative conveniently ignores the track record of his father's administration. Despite President Rodrigo Duterte's overt courtship of the PRC—including downplaying the arbitral victory and pivoting toward Beijing—Chinese bullying persisted unabated. Fishermen were still driven away, AFP rotations to BRP Sierra Madre were obstructed, and PCG vessels faced collisions and intimidation. Billions in promised Chinese investments to support his ambitious “Build, Build, Build” project did not materialize, while core WPS grievances remained unresolved. This history underscores that concessions do not yield peace; they invite further encroachments. If there is one thing that Mayor Duterte said correctly, it is that before opening our mouths, we should ensure that our statements are anchored in truth and facts, rather than mere insinuations that promote a pro-China narrative.show more

Jay Tarriela

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