By Diego C. Cagahastian
“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and prevented by force. Against stupidity we are defenseless.”
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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Last week, the Chinese Commercial News, a Chinese-language newspaper based in Manila with links to Chinese state media, reported that China is considering 10 possible countermeasures against the Philippines, in the wake of the several Filipino officials’ increasingly hostile attitude towards China.
While the reported measures were not official, it is believable that they are authentic, since Chinese embassy officials in Manila have shown exasperation and are losing patience on “asar gurus” such as Gibo Teodoro and Jay Tarriela, now joined by several pro-US and anti-Duterte senators.
The alleged sanctions being contemplated by China include a ban on Filipino politicians when traveling to China, Hong Kong and Macao, cuts in oil and fertilizer supplies, and the removal of the grounded warship at Ayungin Shoal.
The proposed measures also include discouraging Chinese tourists from visiting the Philippines, tightening employment rules for Filipino workers in Hong Kong and Macao, and restricting exports of goods considered essential to the Philippine economy.
It should be made clear, however, that the report did not identify its sources and stressed that the proposed measures had not been officially confirmed by the Chinese government. It was unclear whether any had entered Beijing’s formal decision-making process.
Among the most consequential proposals is towing away the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine Navy ship deliberately grounded at Ayungin Shoal, internationally known as Second Thomas Shoal, to maintain a Philippine presence in the disputed waters.
China is also reportedly considering blocking Philippine resupply missions to the outpost and taking stronger action against attempts to reach the vessel.
Political observers noted that any attempt to remove the ship or prevent its resupply could further escalate tensions between Manila and Beijing, whose competing claims in the South China Sea have repeatedly triggered confrontations between their maritime forces.
The reported economic measures include suspending supplies of refined petroleum products and fertilizers to the Philippines and restricting exports of other urgently needed goods, potentially adding pressure on the country’s energy supplies, agriculture and supply chains.
Other proposed measures include imposing sanctions on Philippine politicians considered hostile to China, barring them and their immediate family members from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, freezing their assets in Chinese territory, and prohibiting Chinese companies and individuals from conducting transactions with them.
Beijing could also publicly disclose the business dealings, financial interests and assets in China of certain Philippine politicians, according to the report.
The proposals extend beyond trade and maritime disputes. China could advise its citizens against traveling to the Philippines, citing security concerns and alleged criminal activities, while intensifying enforcement against Filipinos working illegally in mainland China.
In Hong Kong and Macao, authorities could tighten enforcement of visa and employment regulations affecting Filipino workers and suspend dialogue with Manila on labor-related issues, the report said.
If things really turn out of hand, they could demand the closure of some Philippine consulates general in China, including the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, especially if Manila approves the establishment of an office by Taiwan authorities in Cebu.
The report said Beijing could invoke what it considers an imbalance in the number of consulates maintained by the two countries in each other’s territories.
We note that since the publication of the CCN report, our brave, patriotic and jingoist senator-warriors have lowered the volume of grandstanding, the better to assess if China was serious in this bunch of sanctions.
Anyare, Risa, Erwin, Tito, Raffy, JV, Leila, Chel and others?
Meanwhile, Gibo and Jay T. have ramped up their mouths’ offensive, with their boss President Bongbong Marcos receiving a letter of request from 25 business organizations asking for restraint.
Filipinos are beginning to see the ignominy of a senseless fight with no real hope of winning, when diplomacy and dialogue are still open paths.
