INTERNATIONAL law expert Atty. Harry Roque has revealed why he believes the Marcos Jr. admin is exacerbating the problem in West Philippine Sea.
Tensions are escalating between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.
Recently, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) sprayed water on a Philippine supply boat for soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The CCG initially claimed that the Philippine boat was carrying repair supplies, hence they sprayed water on it.
This action reportedly violated the agreement between the Philippines and China regarding the provision of repair materials to the grounded ship in the disputed territory.
International law expert Atty. Harry Roque explains that there was a strategy employed during the Duterte administration to prevent the escalation of tension.
“If you think about it, that the Sierra Madre is in a decrepit state. If only food and water had been sent over the past six years, it might have sunk by now. But there’s a catch! The catch is when we found out about the water cannon incident due to the supply delivery, President Duterte used strategy. I don’t believe there was no repair happening because it would have sunk otherwise! But there was strategy! Don’t flaunt it. What’s happening now is that the PBBM administration is flaunting the delivery of construction supplies, which they know is causing the water cannon incident,” Atty. Harry Roque, International Law Expert stated.
Roque also sees deliberate provocations against China to anger the public, diverting attention from more pressing issues that the government should address.
“Why are they flaunting it? When it could be handled strategically like what President Duterte did. Because they want things to heat up, to make Filipinos look like victims—to deceive Filipinos—to divert attention from the real issues. Who is now thinking that the real problem in the Philippines is the high cost of living, unemployment, low wages! We’re being provoked by the Marcos administration,” Roque added.
What Roque believes is needed is for Marcos Jr. to fulfill his promise during the election to make the price of rice twenty pesos per kilo.
To not distract the public with the maritime dispute issue.
And to avoid war and harm to Filipinos.
“So my question to PBBM, Why do you want war? Just to divert attention from the fact that your promise of twenty pesos per kilo has not been fulfilled? And because of that, you want to divert the issue, you want to see Filipino soldiers die?” he said.
Roque also believes that Americans will not go to war for us Filipinos against China.
And what will happen is that the Americans will only send weapons and military equipment and let Filipino soldiers fight.
“You’re putting our soldiers at risk because you know that this is not a war we can win. What you’re hoping for is for Uncle Sam to rescue us but it will fail because who will die—Filipino soldiers. It’s already difficult, and now you want to fight a war that cannot be wont,” Roque added.
