Arbitration, not
bilateral negotiation

The Philippine government is standing pat on its ground that the Scarborough Shoal dispute with China be settled through international arbitration by the United Nations International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.

China, on the other hand, rejected the idea. It insists on bilateral negotiation. Whether it will insist on that or not, remains to be seen. But that route is precarious for the Philippines. Not only will that subject her to bullying by her more formidable neighbour, but also result in a fruitless talk.

The area around Scarborough Shoal is international waters. It is the main trade route of international shipping. And it is the position by the Philippines.

Since it seems that its ASEAN neighbours seem for the moment not to have engaged China in a word war over the issue, the Philippines hopes that arbitration will internationalize it and weaken China’s position as well as bring the other ASEAN countries into the fray that, otherwise, would remain a mere bilateral dispute.

But notice also that, despite its position of preponderance of might, China has gone into a calibrated raising of the ante insofar as the Scarborough Shoal issue is concerned. And the PH too, had played a coy game. It withdrew its flagship from the area and sent instead a coast guard cutter.

So, for the moment that’s what’s happening – a standoff on the issue of bilateral talks or UN arbitration.

The situation should ease the tension among Pinoys, some of whom have fallen victims to Anti-Chinese sentiments. This is problematic, for this could translate later into an anti-Tsinoy racial issue, unless the government can handle the situation with caution. That is something we cannot afford. Tsinoys in our midst, must be the most patriotic among our citizenry. And we cannot afford to antagonize or alienate them through bias.

Well, the best thing we can do for the moment, is to pray hard that the present tension between the two countries will be smoothly handled and the chances of an accident reduced as it already has been.

We do not have to exacerbate the situation.

***

I suspect that the current issue of the Dipolog-Ozamis-Parchinog crime gang being in Bacolod has the hallmark of a psy-ops by the police.

Okay, Police Chief Ricardo de la Paz claimed that witnesses had identified three of the gang as already in Bacolod. And they intend to hit a bank, a big business establishment or pawnshop the same way they had hit recently the Central Negros Electric Cooperative.

He even went to the extent of telling them that the suspects are reportedly protected by Kevlar breast plates and urged his policemen to shoot them in the head should they fight backs.

Romeo Baldevarona pitched in with his call for the police to neutralize the group in a “bloodless manner.”

I suspect that the entire drama is intended to warn the group, if they really are in the city, against pulling a heist if they really are intent on duplicating their Ceneco feat. And, warn them to get out of the city fast.

What seems strange is the claim by the police that the gang members had already targeted establishments they intend to hit. If true, that is more on a matter of speculation and analysis.

The question – how come the police did not try to arrest them? If they are sure that the suspects are still around, why not raid their lair?

For the time being, what is happening is a setback with businesses and major establishments in the city on tenterhook. In short, that could trigger a panic later. Until the police gives the public the results of their operations.

***

The military and the police arrested Friday two suspected leaders of the New People’s Army and three others in San Carlos City.

The arrested suspects are Hernando Llorente, alias Ka Kador, and his wife, Faith Roses Basergo, alias Bea.

Llorente is reportedly former NNF Secretary of the Northern Negros Front and Bea reportedly platoon leader of the Sentro de Grabidad platoon.

Both were reportedly involved in the robbery-in-band of the fishpond of Joseph Edgar Sarrosa of Barangay Bulanca, Sagay City.

Both were reportedly identified by a former rebel returnee after they passed themselves off as Glen Sorcor Handaya and Riza Bianca Vsr-bio.

Both were arrested on the basis of a warrant of arrest for robbery in band by Cadiz Regional Trial Court Judge Renato Munez who recommended a P40,000 bail.

Well, that doesn’t spell finish to the game.

***

Sunday, I had a long talk with a Christian believer. And he came out with some facts that forced by belief in Christ as the Messiah.

First, he pointed out that Jesus was just a village preacher who left no written messages to his followers that would have reminded them of His Word. Neither a monument that could have served as their rallying point.

Instead, this village preacher in a small part of the Roman empire was crucified by Pontius Pilate that should have written finish to his reputation.

Yet, the very lack of any written history or compilation of His messages, from that significant village of Israel, in a short while His reputation grew by leaps and bound and even reached Rome. And, soon, His reputation as the Messiah and the Redeemer spread all over the world and now has encompassed all over.

And His word continues to reverberate all over. That only confirms the fact that God certainly works in mysterious ways and wanted to remind people of His message of How He loves the world so much and sent His only Son to save mankind. He came not for the righteous but for sinners.

That touching message still echoes from church to church all over the world and gives hope to mankind.*

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