TENSIONS in the South China Sea continues to escalate as days go by, but according to Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, the disputed waters is just being used by the U.S. as a tool to profit off from a potential war.
“Those kinds of wars, when there’s a war, huge amount of money is always involved—and big businessmen. We have no stake in it. We don’t benefit from it. It’s their game and it’s because of money,” Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Davao City said.
Mayor Baste pointed out the huge money involved in the South China Sea issue.
In his speech at the MAISUG Rally held in Tagum City last Sunday night, Mayor Baste said only American businessmen benefit from the war, so it’s not surprising that they’re eager for the Philippines to engage in conflict with China.
“The biggest seller of armaments, weapons, Americans. It’s their business. It’s just propaganda, that’s why when they show you what they publish on social media for you to see— But that’s nothing. You know, in reality, if China weren’t there, it’s not just us staking claim. There’s still Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Vietnam,” Mayor Baste added.
Mayor Duterte pointed out the possibility of a war to break out due to the
The ongoing confrontations between the coast guards of the Philippines and China.
“Now, if China were to retreat, do you think they’d just let us step in there? Definitely not. You know, it’s just a narrative. It’s a fight between Americans and the Chinese. Now, we’re being dragged into it. The problem there is if everything goes to hell, and we’re all screwed, and they force us into war by conscription, meaning compulsory enlistment to become soldiers, we’ll all die. And that’s just for their desires,” Mayor Baste said.
“Let’s be vigilant about that. These possibilities and what they’re doing now will surely come to us, unfortunately,” he stated.
Cong. Alvarez urges AFP to withdraw their support for Pres. Marcos Jr.
On the other hand, Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte urged the AFP to consider withdrawing their support for President Bongbong Marcos Jr.— as soldiers are the first to suffer the consequences if war breaks out.
Alvarez also pointed out that there’s no law in the Philippines stating that soldiers must protect the president because as their true mandate is to protect the Philippines and the Filipino people.
“I’ve read it repeatedly searching for provisions on what the AFP’s duty is. I can’t find anything in the Constitution saying the AFP shall protect the Commander-in-Chief, nothing, what’s written in the Constitution is this, The AFP shall protect the people and the State,” Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez, 1st District, Davao del Norte stated.
“Now, if we allow the war in the West Philippine Sea to erupt, are we protecting the people, are we protecting the state? No. If chaos erupts in the West Philippine Sea, there will be countless of dead bodies, there will be unimaginable destruction, famine, hunger. That will happen. So, before everything happens, I’m urging you: we don’t have to hurt each other, we don’t have to fire a single shot. It’s simple. Please withdraw your support to the Chief Executive peacefully.”
“If you withdraw your support for him, it means you’re supporting the provision in the Constitution to protect the people and the state. If you withdraw your support for him, he has no choice but to step down from his position,” Alvarez added.
But what could be the implications of this call by Cong. Alvarez?
Alvarez not inciting sedition for urging AFP to withdraw support for Marcos—Atty. Panelo
Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo explained that Alvarez’s call is not considered as inciting a sedition or rebellion— especially as the Armed Forces of the Philippines know their mandate.
“Well, strictly speaking, it will not fall under rebellion or sedition. Even though he encouraged it, but you don’t have to say that because if the AFP knows their job, they will do what is necessary to protect— because that’s their job, to protect the Filipino people. If they feel that, the government—which they are part of—is taking steps towards the destruction of what they’re supposed to protect, then they will take action on it,” according to Atty. Salvador Panelo, Former Presidential Legal Counsel.
