Long before WPS, China already took so much from the Philippines

By Julius R. Paner

Last night I chanced upon a radio show talking about the present government trying to address issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), particularly with the Chinese government now lodging several moves to have at least a bulk possession of the controversial island. The radio host kept conversing of a threat in aspects of economy and security if China will continue to take control of WPS.

The effort of the Philippine government to address the staggering WPS issue might have been slender in a way but perhaps the only way to remain the RP-China relationship unharmed, unless we are ready for an Armageddon. There is no way we can fight China, in whatever approach we are capable of, much more than war, because the Philippines – pardon my saying – is overwhelmingly unmatched against the Chinese which is a world superpower. To those who believe the Philippines could still make a David-over-Goliath bout may still have to rub their eyes more than once because to some extent you might be daydreaming, or to the very least hibernating to not being able to witness reality.

China’s occupation in the Philippines dates back in the early 11^th century. They went to as far as Mindanao islands Sulu and Butuan to do trading activities but their biggest settlement was in Pangasinan. In the 15^th century they possessed the entire Luzon even before the Spaniards came to the country. During the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yung Lo claimed the entire Luzon and have it included under his dynasty in the 14^th century. The town of Lingayen in Pangasinan was then the seat of power but was later terminated also upon the egress of the Ming Dynasty.

In Mindanao, the Chinese occupied a major part of the total population especially in Davao City being the center of commerce and trade in the island. The rising number of Chinese in Davao region had them eventually claiming major land areas and owning business establishments in a variety of investment menu. In 2003, former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte issued an Executive Order declaring a Chinatown in portions of Poblacion Davao particularly in areas of Sta. Ana Avenue, Moteverde Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay Street and Leon Garcia Street. The area now serves a primary residential site of Filipino-Chinese community in Davao City.

Several land territories in Mindanao – if not in the entire Philippines – is now being retained by notable Chinese clans such as Tan, Lim, Gaizano and Villa Abrille, to name a few. And majority of big businesses in the country are being controlled by the Lucio Tans, the Cojuangcos, the Henry Sys, the Gokongweis, the Consunjis, the Ramon Angs etc.

With the Philippine timeline significantly inscribed with a Chinese involvement it is safe to say that more than half of the Philippines is now being controlled by the Chinese since time immemorial. Even before the issue on West Philippine Sea came into picture. However, the sad reality biting us for now which have added insult to the already unrectified boundary conflict injury is that some Filipinos only started complaining about Chinese culture of stealing territories now. Where were you guys when the Chinese started effort to apply land title to almost all land areas in the country? Where were you when Chinese businessmen in several parts of the Philippines hired a lot of Filipino workers and were casualties of unfair labor practices due to overworking and underpayment which is a clear manifestation of slavery? Where were you when Emperor Yung Lo claimed the entire Luzon? Is it only now that you noticed these Chinese exploiting the Filipinos sovereignty because of the WPS?  

To some extent many Filipinos use WPS to justify their unjustifiable criticism or those who could no longer find other platforms to humiliate President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD). The WPS issue with China is a legitimate issue that needs genuine, diplomatic and peaceful solution. This definitely needs sufficient time and demands understanding and sympathy from the rest of the Filipino citizenry. This could never be settled overnight and perhaps what PRRD has recently undertaken is by far the best solution.

To my dear comrades who had been criticising the president for the resolution mechanism he has employed with the WPS conflict, and to those who said the Chinese are starting to take control of the Philippines, please level up your understanding of history. The Chinese had long been here, even before you know that you were born with narrow and squinted eyes and is employed in the country of businesses owned by dominant Chinese tycoons.