I may not agree with some of President Duterte’s policy decisions. But on the Philippine territorial dispute with China at the West Philippine Sea, I agree with the President’s policy of avoiding an armed confrontation with China.
Like a father to the Filipino nation, he does not want to place the Filipinos in harm’s way, especially in a war we cannot win, even as those against his posturing with China threaten him with impeachment.
As a well-enshrined Roman law that is also in the Philippine Civil Code says, “Pater Familias” states that a person should take care of his properties as a good father to his family. And that is what President Duterte is doing in handling of the country’s territorial row with China.
Duterte is prepared to face the challenge to his presidency, and even his life, in another war front, without placing the Filipino nation at risk. And as a father and grandfather myself, I empathize with the President cognitively, knowing what he’s going through right now.
Practically besieged by the opposition and those against his handling of the Philippines-China territorial dispute, Duterte is right in prioritizing the safety of the greater number of Filipinos by avoiding an armed confrontation, and choosing a strategic and friendly diplomacy.
He remains steadfast in his position that our territorial row with China should be resolved without going to war, even if we have the Mutual Defense Pact with the United States and its allies. After all, even if the US and our other allies would support the Philippines in an armed conflict China, the war front would be in our backyard. And we could be the first victims of a destructive and multifaceted nuclear war, which could be avoided through strategic diplomacy.
But knowing the President, he will never allow himself to be pressured or cajoled into pushing China against the wall, with a view of keeping the Filipinos safe and secure from a nuclear war.
And for that, thank you President Duterte for considering the safety of the greater number of Filipinos, even amid the criticisms and threat of impeachment because of your handling of the Philippines-China territorial dispute.
And most important, thank you for being a real caring father to the Filipino nation.
As what the American World War I flier and father of his naval aviator and Nasa astronaut son, Walter Schirra Sr. once said about fathering, “You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.”
Indeed, Duterte looks at the Filipinos as heroes. A Filipino nation worth sacrificing the presidency and even his life, where over 16 million citizens entrusted their fate to him.
Dr. Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade, a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.