A glimmer of hope for Infanta fisherfolks
THE Department of Foreign Affairs’ announcement last week that it will finally initiate talks with China is just what our desperate fishermen in Infanta have been praying for – a chance to restore their livelihood in the West Philippine Sea.
For too long, their prayers for peace in the region have been overtaken by saber-rattling over territorial claims in the area that have reached a tipping point for war. In fact, the planned dialogue is being sought merely to deescalate the tensions after that violent incident in the sea between our navy personnel and those of the China’s Coast Guards.
Thankfully, someone in the Marcos administration still believes that diplomacy should prevail in these times of challenges, a move negated by the Marcos administration out of “nationalist and patriotic responsibility,” making the plight of our fishermen doomed.
But is there hope for a dialogue after all the harassments that turned violent? What are at stake?
The hawks in the Marcos administration can be expected to thumb down the planned initiative since they will maintain that seeking a dialogue at this time can only come from the position of weakness. It can go on to point out that it will be an acknowledgement of the right of China to protect its territorial claim.
Let’s hope the National Maritime Council will see it differently and will find merit in the DFA’s initiative.
After all, it has become obvious that neither the US and China want the prospect of going into a nuclear war for a country like the Philippines, once the Philippine government invokes the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US. At the same time, the Marcos administration appears reluctant to invoke it knowing that the US will not quickly respond as the treaty requires of it, and that will further complicate the situation for us – the pawn between two world powers.
So, it is to everyone’s interests that a dialogue takes place to keep peace in whatever level. It will also serve US and China’s interests who are avoiding a nuclear war.
Let’s pray that the priority agenda of our negotiating team will include the plight of our fishermen in addition to being able to provide food supply to our marines posted in BRP Sierra Madre, which hopefully will be the main agenda.
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