While China is winning the hearts of the Makapilis, it is losing in the eyes of the international community. The recent Scarborough Shoal incident where Chinese Coastguard water bombed Philippine government vessels elicited reactions from diplomats from at least 13 countries calling China’s behavior as aggressive, coercive, unlawful and disrupts the peace and stability in the region.
Should China persist in bullying the Philippines, it risks facing significant isolation and a decline in global standing. It is crucial to note that China’s economy heavily relies on exports, totaling a staggering US$2.796.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Any disruption in international relations could have detrimental effects on its trade dynamics, including recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom. These sanctions, particularly impacting cybersecurity and trade relations, stem from allegations of Chinese involvement in aiding Russia’s actions against Ukraine. The repercussions of such actions have prompted Chinese authorities to vehemently protest against the UK’s measures.
But while the China has been bullying the Philippines and parrying blows from the international community, a Chinese militia vessel and a Filipino fishermen’s boat had a standoff in a disputed shoal several nautical miles away the coast of Palawan. The Chinese, as usual, tried to shoo away the poor fishermen claiming that shoal is part of the Chinese territory.
Filipino Boat Captain (FBC): Even though you gave this shoal a Chinese name, it doesn’t mean this is already your territory. We also have a Filipino name for this shoal. Common sense: We call the moon “buwan”, does that mean that is already ours? Look at how far you are from your coastline and compare it with ours.
Chinese Militia Spokesperson (CMS): But our government says it is ours and we even have a 9-dash line to prove that. Now, our map improved because we already have eleven.
[FBC discussed with his team. One of the fishermen, let’s hide him by the name SDD, blurted “I think we lost. We only have 7 and it is not yet operational.”
“WHAT?!!!” the other fishermen asked almost in unison. “What do you mean 7? Where is that?”
SDD proudly replied, “The MRT Line 7 in Commonwealth Avenue, don’t you know it? It was part of PRRD’s Build, Build, Build Program.” The reply created an uproar and the UniTeam of fishermen almost throw each other to the water until FBC intervened. When the commotion died down, FBC talked to the Chinese Militia.]
FBC: Okay, we will leave. But not on the basis of your Barbie-created map. You know, we can also request Ken to draw one.
CMS: So how do you propose we settle this?
FBC: Well, you have a claim and we have ours. Can we make a third party settle this?
CMS: International shipping vessels rarely pass through this area so where can we find the third party to settle our dispute?
FBC: Let’s ask the fishes.
CMS: (Laughing) How will they understand us? And how will they respond?
FBC: Simple. Do you know something about linguistic determinism?
CMS: You mean the theory that language forms the foundation of national identity and unity?
FBC: Yes. If they understand your language, they will follow you. That means, this shoal is yours. If they don’t understand you, that means they are not part of your country and it is ours.
CMS: Interesting. Okay let’s try. You go ahead.
FBC: Well, we have eight major languages and around 170 dialects. We might bore you to death so you go ahead.
[The members of the Chinese militia spoke in different Chinese dialects but after an hour, nothing happened. The fishes just did their things.]
CMS: We asked the fishes to gather around our vessels but nothing happened. Now it’s your turn to do your thing.
[The fishermen were rattled and almost staged a coup against FBC. Fearing that nothing will happen, two of the fishermen jumped out of the boat and swam to a passing cargo ship. Afterwards, FBC started an animated conversation with the fishes while everyone watched in anticipation. The Chinese, respected for being a sleeping dragon, waited patiently. Well, there are more than 170 languages and dialects in the Philippines, in the first place. After an hour…]
FBC: [Excitedly] We’ve done it! The fishes have spoken!
[The Filipino crew erupts into cheers and applause, leaving the Chinese militia bewildered.]
CMS: What in the world just happened?
FBC: Simple. I told the fishes in our local languages to carry on as usual if they considered themselves citizens of the Philippines. And look, they did just that!
And the Chinese militia vessel left the scene.
Polevu 