Shoulder-to-shoulder

BY THE end of this week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will fly to the US of A, on an official visit where he is to have a tete a tete with President Biden at the White House on May 1. There may be some significance to the date, which is universally commemorated as Labor Day.

The Philippines continues to “labor” for America, perhaps no longer as “hewers of wood and drawers of water” as there are not much more natural resources for us to export to the rich countries. We had cut down our timber in Mindanao and sent them to the US as “Philippine mahogany” and later to the Japanese in the 60s, and American companies mined our gold, during which time we were hosts to several military bases in our islands, the last big ones being Subic and Clark, which, thanks to the Senate under Jovito Salonga, we closed down.

Now, in apparent reversal of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “independent” foreign policy, we have offered the Americans, our “beloved allies” the use of nine different strategically-located sites for “joint use” as part of the Visiting Forces Agreement and its version of “enhanced defense cooperation.”

In one very real sense, America’s newest identified “enemy,” the People’s Republic of China, had it coming.

They bullied us in what is ours in the vicinity of the South China Sea which we call our West Philippine Sea, over which our “beloved” America just watched on the sidelines, and due to several incidents particularly against our fishermen, many of our people began to “hate” China.

Can or will our President be able to collect from the allmighty US of A after agreeing yet once more to be America’s little brother in Southeast Asia?

Survey after survey shows that we dislike the Chinese even more than the Japanese invaders where half a million of our forefathers were killed.

And despite extraction of every economic advantage in their favor during and even after their colonialist years such as parity rights, we continue to “love” America with trusting passion.

Not until 2016 did we have a president who never set foot nor paid obeisance to our “beloved” America, and profusely declared admiration, even “love” for Xi Jinping and the likes of Vladimir Putin, while he cursed Barack Obama.

Despite this contrast with the Filipino’s obsession with the US of A, paradoxically, Duterte has maintained the highest trust and approval ratings.

Yet towards his last year in office, after suspending the operation of EDCA which his predecessor PNoy acquiesced to, and other predecessors FVR and Erap fathered through the VFA, Duterte agreed to fully restore the VFA after a July 2021 meeting with the US Defense Secretary.

He justified the acquiescence because the pandemic had crippled the country and we needed vaccines which America had developed, a case of “give and take” according to him.

Despite his spokesman -- Atty. Harry Roque’s vociferous insistence that America owed us big time – comparing what perennially troubled Pakistan got in aid (US$16 billion in 16 years versus our US$3.9 billion in the same period of time), President Duterte gave in.

We got 3.2 million doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, on top of a laundry list of military equipment to “modernize” our defense system.

Whether the modernization is real or we are to receive, as in the past 60 years, hand-me-downs some of which were of WW II vintage, this writer cannot ascertain. What is clear is that our soldiers drool over the modern arms and munitions they get to use mo-

Sometimes you get the impression that the joint military exercises are likewise an opportunity to “sell” hardware to us through live demonstration.

Be that as it may, what is done is done. The weak depend on the strong.

Meanwhile that we were happy with crumbs and were middling our way oh-so- incrementally towards economic growth, once impoverished China with its billions of mouths to feed, was marching by leaps and bounds towards prosperity, at a pace never before witnessed in world history.

And now that it wants to “re-unify” Taiwan into the mainland, consistently labelling the island as a “renegade province,” America wants to re-define its long maintained “strategic ambiguity” towards the “strategic clarity” as expressed by Joe Biden himself as willingness to defend Taiwan against a Chinese take-over.

And our President acquiesced, verbally yet, according to Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo in a Senate hearing, to add four locations on top of the five previously agreed to, three of which point without any doubt towards the potential theater of conflict between Taiwan and China.

Is the written agreement to be signed come

May 1 in Washington, DC?

Three of the new locations are in Lal-Lo airport which was originally intended as a commercial airport for domestic and regional use; the Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana, Cagayan (erratum: in last Thursday’s article, I hastily typed San Vicente instead of Sta. Ana – my bad), both of which are within “spitting” distance of the channel that separates Taiwan from Luzon, and the Camp Melchor de la Cruz army base in Gamu, Isabela.

The president’s sister, Sen. Imee, wondered why these locations face Taiwan, if they are indeed for defense purposes.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian likewise asked “why not Bicol?” if these are for immediate disaster response.

Unable to justify the choices, Sec. Manalo said these sites have yet to be finalized in writing anyway.

Meanwhile, after the brouhaha raised by Ambassador Huang Xilian’s undiplomatic statements before a captive audience of “understanding” China lovers, newly-minted Foreign Minister Xin Gang flies to our country to confer with Manalo and the President.

One would think this is a case of “patay-sunog” yet just before he left China, Qin made a statement: “The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China,” followed by the firm assertion that “we will never back down in the face of any act that undermines China’s sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned.”

Now that ain’t “patay-sunog”. As we locals would say, “nanggagatong pa.”

Vamos a ver.

After listening to Qin, our President will report to Biden on Labor Day, after which he will fly to London to visit the king on his coronation, and thereafter fly back after attending an ASEAN confab in Indonesia.

Can he please collect payment from the US of

A for his clear departure from the foreign policy of his predecessor Duterte?

One such payment is in getting Biden to extend our GSP+ privileges which we enjoyed until it expired in 2020 and has not since been extended.

After the pandemic has abated, perhaps it is time to renew?

Those GSP+ privileges, which we also enjoy with the EU but due to expire by the end of this year, are the main reason why FDIs go to our ecozones to the extent of 26 percent of our total exports, my DTI source said.

In the EU, they will mix politics with economics, and will likely discuss human rights and Leila de Lima when they make a decision to extend the GSP+ or not.

The US also presses on similar topics of interest, but nothing matters more at this point than to threaten China if it departs from the status quo on the Taiwan Strait.

Having made ourselves an accomplice to America’s strategic interest in the area, the GSP+ and the long-aspired for free trade agreement are the least we could ask.

As if to warn us not to dream too much, the US trade representative Katherine Tai who visited here recently doused cold water on an FTA, while stating that the GSP+ extension is up to Congress.

Can or will our President be able to collect from the all-mighty US of A after agreeing yet once more to be America’s little brother in Southeast Asia?

FOUR days to go before the end of the nearly threeweek Balikatan joint Philippines-US military exercises, both sides appear to have learned much from each other.

On the one hand, Filipino troops have been able to get to know the capabilities of advanced weaponry, such as the truckmounted HIMARs, or High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, that can reach targets as far as 80 kilometers away.

That means, if our estimates are correct, multiple rockets fired from Manila can reach targets in, say, Angeles City in Pampanga. The US has supplied Ukraine with such a system to fight the Russian invasion since February 2022.

On the other hand, we have seen newspaper photos of Filipino troops giving their American counterparts training in martial arts, or hand-to-hand fighting, if ever the situation calls for it.

There’s a big difference between what the world’s most powerful military can impart to our armed forces and what our own military, among the weakest in Southeast Asia, can teach the Americans. But that’s to be expected.

Is China our friend or our foe?

What’s important, from where we sit, is the shared commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region amid growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.

Both sides have every reason to be worried over China’s intentions in so far as Taiwan is concerned. Beijing considers Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland at all costs; it has time and again said it has not renounced the use of force in bringing the island back under its control.

A recent three-day military drill by China around Taiwan using air and naval assets is disturbing, to say the least, as it portends an imminent invasion in the years to come, even as early as 2025, if we’re to believe updated assessments by the US military.

Beijing’s extreme reaction to the Philippine government’s decision to expand the number of sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)—practically telling the Philippine government to reconsider its move or else this put in jeopardy the safety and security of nearly 160,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan—is tantamount to bullying and intimidation by our powerful neighbor that does not bode well for the future of our bilateral ties with China.

Recent events, such as swarming activities by the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia against our troops monitoring the situation in our Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and, more recently, the Chinese ambassador’s tactless remarks on Manila’s decision to allow the Americans to expand military presence in northern Luzon raises the question: Is China our friend or our foe?

ADR’s legacy of excellence, courage, and honor

territory.

cent of the deterrence strategies of the cold war era.

Adherence to the rules-based international order has always been the cornerstone of Ambassador Del Rosario’s advocacy. He staunchly espoused this principle as foundational to peace, security, and stability that has promoted an unprecedented era of economic growth in the Indo-Pacific.

WE HAVE lost a great statesman and a true patriot in the passing of former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario. His ambassadorial career has been an exemplar of leadership and patriotism that demonstrated his uncompromising commitment to uphold the interests of our country amidst the complex geopolitical dynamics we now face. His passing has shocked our nation and the global diplomatic community which he has skillfully engaged with excellence, courage, and honor.

Ambassador Del Rosario leaves a roster of legacies that are of profound impact to our country’s national security.

Against all odds, he led the Philippines to victory in the historic case lodged before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague which delivered a unanimous verdict that scathingly rejected China’s expansive “nine dash line” claim of roughly 85 percent of the South China Sea.

The decision declared the claim as having no basis in international law and that China has violated Philippine territorial rights.

The decision reaffirmed the Philippines’ territorial claims covered by the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and became a catalyst for the emergence of an Indo-Pacific alliance of nations that have committed to maintain the stability and regime of coprosperity under a rules-based international order.

China has expectedly refused to recognize the decision and continues to disrespect international law with persistent acts of aggression and militarization in the South China Sea.

The level of tension has now escalated to a disturbing display of military technologies from opposing superpower forces reminis-

Almost seven years alter the arbitral victory, the possibility of conflict is frightening prospect that our government must carefully navigate and prepare for.

We must sustain Ambassador Albert del Rosario’s mission to safeguard our national security amidst the current challenges in the Indo-Pacific

Ambassador Del Rosario in one of his insightful statements said, “The possibility of conflict is always present. Our country must continuously build its capabilities to preserve national security and contribute to regional security.

“In doing so, leveraging on our alliances, and expanding our diplomatic networks is a step towards maintaining peace and stability.

“Complementing this, our policies and strategies must be formulated in the name of an independent foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of the country and of the Filipino people.”

In the context of the West Philippine Sea, he has recommended to: 1) Consolidate the support of other countries which believe in the Arbitral Ruling and the Rule of Law, 2) Make China accountable for the environmental destruction in the West Philippine Sea and its blatant disregard of Philippine sovereignty, and 3) Build a minimum credible defense posture to protect our national

I had the honor of closely working with him on some of his speeches and public statements and witnessed his heroic passion and boldness of spirit to fight for the rights and welfare of the country. His work attitude is legendary. His character is an epitome of dignity and integrity presented in the most gentlemanly manner and elegant eloquence is the perfect package for the perfect diplomat which has been internationally recognized with the highest honors.

To mention a few, he was conferred the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu for his outstanding efforts in promoting foreign relations for the Philippines and the Order of Lakandula with a Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) for his role as Co-Chair of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

He received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Emperor Naruhito of Japan in November 2022 in recognition of his key role in building a strategic partnership in Japan-Philippines bilateral relationship particularly in strengthening maritime security relations to ensure the safety of ships navigating around Philippine waters.

The power and boldness of his statements are lessons in diplomacy that resonates strong and clear to the subject of his messages and at the same time asserts the honor of the Philippine nation.

He called Beijing a “bully” and called on Filipinos to stand up to uphold the rule of law to prevent bullies from having their ways, “If the rule of law is not adhered to, you will have chaos and anarchy. It will be the rule of law versus the rule of the jungle.

“The West Philippine Sea is ours” and “we do not need China’s consent or permission to use our own resources in the West Philippine Sea.”

We must sustain Ambassador Albert del Rosario’s mission to safeguard our national security amidst the current challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

If we want peace to endure, we must take a firm stand to preserve the rule of law in the international system.

Syrians gripped by grim Ramadan TV series alluding to Assad dynasty

A RAMADAN television series featuring sinister plotlines inspired by President Bashar al-Assad’s family has had Syrians glued to their screens, from those hunkered in the war-torn country to those abroad.

The series, “Smile, General,” is set in an imaginary Arab country.

But references to the Assad dynasty, in power in Syria for more than half a century, are clear through various characters and aspects of the plot.

Television viewership in the Middle East traditionally peaks during Ramadan, when the faithful enjoy programming after breaking their daily fast at sunset.

The series has been screening on a TV channel broadcasting to Syria’s rebel-held areas and on a Qatar-owned broadcaster.

It is also streamed on YouTube, where Syrians living in government-controlled areas can clandestinely watch online.

“It’s the first time in the Arab world that a series alludes to the Syrian regime,” said Fidaa Saleh, a 35-year-old activist living in Jindayris, in Syria’s rebel-held northwest.

“The Syrian people by now know perfectly well that what’s evoked in this series is but a drop in the ocean of the regime’s crimes,” he added.

Director Orwa Mohamad said the series is “fiction, not a documentary” and aims to “dismantle the mechanics of dictatorships and of taking power by force”.

“But it’s clear the series refers to current and past Syrian regimes, mixing together the periods” of Assad and his father Hafez, who took power in a 1970 coup, he added.

Filmed mostly in Turkey, each episode starts with a quote from Machiavelli. ‘Shines a light’

The show revolves around a power struggle between the president and his volatile younger brother, who controls the military.

Mohamad said it was inspired both by the rivalry between Hafez al-Assad and his younger brother Rifaat, who mounted a failed 1984 coup, as well as that between Bashar and his younger brother Maher, who commands an elite army division.

The show also features a rebellious sister, an allusion to Bushra al-Assad, who moved to Dubai after her husband, a senior security official, was killed in a 2012 suicide attack.

Other characters include a first lady who, like Asma alAssad, extends her influence into the economic sphere

The series includes arrests, killings, corruption, Islamists, foreign powers, and a neighboring country resembling Lebanon, which Syria occupied from 1976 to 2005.

In the show, a retired military officer reveals ghastly skeletons in the regime’s closet.

“It’s a great series that shines a light on the suffering of the Syrian people and refers to the hereditary transfer of power,” said shopkeeper Rida Saidi, 52. He said he followed the show every night from a tent along with others in the

Deir Ballut displacement camp in Syria’s northwest.

Syria’s civil war broke out in 2011 after Assad’s repression of peaceful anti-government demonstrations escalated into a deadly conflict that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists.

More than half a million people have been killed and around half of Syria’s pre-war population forced from their homes.

The most prominent actors in “Smile, General” are exiled Syrians known for opposing the government, including Maxim Khalil, who plays the sharp, mustachioed president.

Abdel Hakeem Qutaifan, who plays a powerful intelligence chief, lives abroad after being imprisoned for nine years under Hafez al-Assad.

‘Reality is worse’

Hussam Hazber, 32, fled Syria four years ago and said the presence of actors “who stood beside the Syrian people during the revolution” was one of the reasons he was watching the show.

The series “crosses all red lines the regime placed on dramas in Syria,” said the student and activist living in the Turkish city of Gaziantep.

Other characters include a first lady who, like Asma al-Assad, extends her influence into the economic sphere.

A ruthless businessman appears to be inspired by Assad’s tycoon cousin Rami Makhlouf.

Sami al-Doraid, 53, who was arrested in Damascus for taking part in protests early in the uprising, said the series “re-opens wounds.”

“It clearly shows the crimes of this dictatorship. When it shows the prisons, it reminded me of when I was arrested -- but the reality is even worse,” said the teacher, now living in the rebel-held northwest.

In Damascus, people refer to the show as “the other series”, to avoid problems.

“Though it didn’t meet our expectations, I watch it because it touches on the situation in Syria,” said Ibrahim, a teacher in his 30s who declined to provide his surname due to security concerns.

“I get together with friends and we try to guess which scene corresponds to what in real life.” AFP