USS Chicago visiting Philippines is a nuclear submarine

USS Chicago is a nuclear submarine

Just eleven days and the United States is already sending its first class fighters in the Philippines. The first to arrive is the USS Chicago, a tough, battle scarred attack submarine responsible for thousands of enemies killed at Desert Storm.

Nothing wrong except that, I understand that in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed by President Noynoy Aquino and US president Barack Obama some 11 days back, the purpose why this agreement exists is for the US military to train and empower or equip Philippine troops of knowledge and prepare them for any eventuality.

This is a submarine. Do we have a submarine? How in the hell will Philippine troops benefit from this?

And then it really hits home. The official statement released by the US embassy is that the USS Chicago is here for a "port call" and it will dock at Subic Bay, a former naval base abandoned by the US when the MBA was scrapped in 1991, now an economic zone, peopled by Chinese firms.

What is the purpose of the "port call"? It is for rest and recreation or "R&R", the very same despicable term often read by Filipinos during the time when the Americans were really the ones managing those naval and air bases.

So, the visit is really not for training our troops, but for Americans to enjoy the hospitality of our enslaved women sex workers based in Zambales. Why R&R when they are supposed to be training our troops?

Likewise, I remember our Constitution and it prohibits nuclear weapons from entering our territory. Of course, defenders out there would say that the sub does not have nuclear weapons, therefore the visit does not violate the Constitutional provision.

Crap. They probably forgot that the SUBMARINE ITSELF IS A NUCLEAR WEAPON, a diving modern weapon using a nuclear reactor.

China preparing to seize Philippines' Pagasa island

China is threatening us, Filipinos, of war? Are they not informed that this is an era of small wars? That wars are won partially on the theater of war and of international opinion?

Reports say that China intends to occupy Pagasa island, one of the few big islands comprising the Spratlys island chain and is traditionally symbolic of Philippine sovereignty and hegemony over its territories.

An attack against Pagasa is a veritable declaration of war, something which China will eventually regret.

This is not something like what Great Britain did with the Argentinians in that Faulklands island dispute where both countries engaged in a brief naval and air battle before Argentianians finally succumbed.

No.

China is flexing its military muscle because it thinks that it is basically stronger than the Philippines because of its economic might. Lest China forgets, its economy runs because of the monies infused into it by some of the biggest companies in the world.

The Philippines is not exactly a pushover. Yes, this country is still developing its naval capabilities yet, China probably forgot that this country counts the world's mightiest army as its ally.

Not only that, this war will go down in history as a humiliating one for China. China will be perceived as a bully, and will be denounced by many countries of the world for waging war against the Philippines particularly at this time when its many provinces were hit by a supertyphoon.

Will China risks all in exchange for an island? If China moves against us, the entire region there will become a veritable flashpoint and will attract international attention.

Chinese leaders must remember lessons in its History. They must re-read History.

Yes, China has a million men at its disposal and sophisticated military hardware ready for its use. There is one thing which they forget---the Chinese military has not fought for decades in an actual war.

Yes, China has its proxy ways before during the sixties, but this country has not been involved in a direct confrontation with another power. This is a great disadvantage for these Chinese.

So, China is threatening us? Let them come here. I have my bolo with me.

Senator Antonio Trillanes as "walkout kid"

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV will perennially be known as the "walkout kid". In all his political life, Trillanes walked out four times. 

The first one, when, after threatening to blow themselves up in a posh residence up Ayala, Trillanes IV led his rag-tag team out of there and into the arms of his supposed enemies--the generals of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. That was his first walk-out, and the public loved it, because everyone was up in arms against the Arroyo regime.

The second walkout was when he again led a bunch of Magdalos out of a Makati courtroom. He then, again, went to a 5-star hotel and holed himself up together with members of the working press and an ageing former Vice President. The scene would have led to a bigger mass action had Trillanes waited for several days more before, he, again, walked out of that hotel and into the arms of an ex SAF NCRPO chief. Again, that "historic" walk-out earned him the public's approbation (The public just loves walkouts). That "walkout" was his third.

Then, this one.

The first three were expressions of disgusts against a discredited regime. This next one, however, is different. Instead of earning the people's nod, this latest walkout exposed who Trillanes really is---to paraphrase JPE, a "coward".

I heard this tag from a friend way back in 2003, when Trillanes IV and his group posturing as "rebels", executed what is now known as "Oakwood mutiny". This guy, who happens to be one of the most idealistic leaders in the armed forces in his time, told me straight forward never to believe in this group because they are all "cowards".

For me, it was a tactical retreat and surely it was. Not so, said my friend. " Had it been our group, we would have holed it up there for a couple of days more. This group does not have the balls", I remember my friend telling me about these "Magdalos". Probably my friend knew more than what I know at that time. 

History has been kind to Trillanes inspite of the numerous political debacles in his career. Like Honasan, Trillanes postured himself as a hero, only to be unmasked as a "fraud", according to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

In their duel yesterday before millions of Filipino eyes, the public caught Trillanes red in the face as if he's hiding something. It was the first time I saw Trillanes showing some fear. Why was he afraid of JPE? What is he afraid of?

Is he afraid of what he really did in China? Foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said Trillanes "muddled the issue up" instead of doing good. 

Meanwhile, JPE practically accused Trillanes of being a "traitor", basing his observations on the notes of Philippine ambassador Sonia Brady.

Trillanes met Chinese officials sixteen times. We don't exactly know what he did, but basing on the hints that Enrile gave, Trillanes reportedly gave away the Scarborough shoal.

Trillanes tried to parry the blows of the sharp Senate president, but Enrile's verbal barbs were sharper than a two-edge sword. 

What qualified Trillanes to negotiate for and on behalf of the Philippine government? What are his interests? Why is he so interested in repairing China-RP relations?

Trillanes accused Enrile of being a "war freak", forgetting that in the past, he vowed to "bomb" the Arroyo regime to smithereens.

Really now, I would accept being accused of being a "war freak" instead of being accused of cowardice and of "selling out the sovereignty" of the Philippines.

Was it true that Trillanes really "walked out" of his "nationalist" shell and donned a Mao cap instead? 

That's the fourth walk-out.

China playing a very dangerous game

After two Philippine Coast Guard boats left the Panatag shoal due to an approaching typhoon, Chinese boats on the other hand, stayed on the disputed area and even raised the Chinese flag. Earlier on, Chinese officials praised the Philippines for "withdrawing" its boats, and even said that they would try to withdraw their own. Unfortunately, China refuses to honor its commitment and instead, hoist the Chinese red flag in one of the small islets of the shoal. 


That, my friend, is a brazen act worthy of international condemnation.


China is using double speak in its dangerous game with the Philippines. When countries in the region are trying to defuse the tension from becoming regional, China is taunting the Philippines and by doing so, dragging the entire region with it. 


Philippine president Benigno S. Aquino III in his speech before Chinese diplomats during the celebration of Philippine independence say specifically said that it is his duty to protect the sovereignty and patrimony of the entire archiepelago. Aquino stressed that his foremost concern is the protection of the country's patrimony, something which is being tested to the limits by Chinese government officials. 


What China is doing is publicly stating that it is stepping two steps back, while doing a forward step, something which signifies the lack of intention to honor bilateral and even, multilateral commitments. 


The Philippines should send a strong note verbale to the Chinese ambassador here. The Philippines must ask the Chinese ambassador and make her explain the dastardly actions of the Chinese side. 

Three Reasons Why China's defeat is certain in a Spratlys War

As a former Foreign Affairs Specialist in the CIRSS (Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies) of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) handling China and the economic diplomacy desk, there are three (3) reasons why I believe that China's defeat is imminent in case it moves militarily against the Philippines in Scarborough Shoal.


One, China's naval fleet is not as modern as the United States or the Japanese Naval fleet. The Japanese Naval fleet is one of the most modern fleet in the region. In the event of a conflict in these parts, the Japanese forces will move not to defend the Philippines but to defend its interests in the region. The United States will surely mobilize its naval fleet in the Pacific, assisted by Japan and Singapore. So, in the event of a battle there, expect it to be inter-country one, not a bilateral war. It is harmful for Japanese interests to see China grow as a regional superpower. In case a naval war erupts in this side of the world, expect China to lose and lose heavily--both militarily and politically.


A war in the disputed islands will not lead even to a nuclear one. China will not be foolhardy to unleash its nuclear arsenal just for a path of rocky outgrowth in the middle of the Western Philippine sea. Neither will it be extremely foolish to attack Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Such actions will not happen because it is both a useless exercise at the same time, will merit international condemnation. 


Two, China is undergoing an internal power struggle, with the traditional Socialists winning over the reformists. This group within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not intend to spoil the economic gains the country has achieved over the last decade with a war that will not even bring them more prosperity, but only more expenses. The Scarborough Shoal issue is unlike Tibet. The place teems with international controversies over ownership. What is at stake here is a bully trying to get a piece of property from a peaceful neighbour, which, does not augur well in the eyes of the international community. 


A defeat in this side of the region will justify the ascension of a more conservative faction of the Chinese Communist Party who sees neo-imperialism as an unnecessary step towards the growth of a Socialist economy in China. Besides, these conservatives have a very strong solidarity bond with Filipino socialists. These conservatives will not risk this strong bond with a war that will not result to anything good for China. There is nothing to gain from moving military forces into an area of little consequence. Besides, if China really intends to exploit the area, it can do so thru bilateral or a multilateral agreement. 


Lastly, a disruption in the free flow of trade in the region will harm China's growing economy.  China's growth depends on stability. A disruptive war will surely affect China's economy particularly on the flow of foreign direct investments as well as portfolio investments. 


China knows this, that's why its "tough stance" is more of a public one, than anything. It is using the media for diplomacy and politics. 

What RP must do in relation to the China-RP standoff in the Spratlys

China, or whoever caused this great stress between China-RP relations chose an appropriate setting to escalate the tension and bring it eventually, to war. First, it chose the Scarborough shoal, a group of rocks which is near Philippine territory and a bit far off from the disputed Spratlys island group. Scarborough shoal is an issue personal between China and the Philippines. It is not being claimed by other claimants or let me rephrase this--Scarborough shoal is not as politically sensitive as the other groups of islets and islands that form the Spratlys. Even if a shooting war breaks out between China and the Philippines, this war will not drag other claimants into the fray, preventing a regional war.


Historically, the battle for Scarborough shoal has been more of a diplomatic dispute rather than actual skirmish. However, China has been persistently active in its push to claim these islands. What the Philippine government does not reveal is the fact that China has built several structures there before and even maintained an active patrolling stance since the eighties. It is now the first time that the Philippines stood its ground against China.


Diplomacy is still the best for both governments. A naval skirmish will drag the United States into it, which, will effect three (3) results: First, it will test China's naval strength which, based on estimates, is still far inferior than the United States. Second, a humiliating defeat of China's fleet will decrease China's influence over the region, affect its dominating status and cause a power reconfiguration in the region. Lastly, a war between China and the US will affect trade in the region and will shift the flow of global investments from Asia to Europe. The US will be able to salvage its reputation as a Pacific military power and an investment or trade shift will reinvigorate Europe and avoid plunging that region towards a full-blown economic winter.
(more on this later)


Really, a war anywhere is a necessity to prevent a further slide of the global economy into recession. That war, unfortunately, should involve Asia. A peaceful Asia harms businesses elsewhere. A destabilized Asian region dispenses capital equally. 


Now, what do I suggest the Philippine government must do to manage this crisis. First, it should continue diplomacy. Diplomacy is still the best option for the Philippines and for China. If both groups exhibit honesty in the negotiating table and choose the path of peace instead of war, this benefits both countries since they will not play into the hands of war globalists who think a war is the best solution against the worsening global state of the economy.


The Philippine government must take a hard stance since in the eyes of the world, it is fighting for sovereignty. Logic dictates that the shoal is owned by the Philippines due to its proximity. In a war of perceptions, China loses to the Philippines hands down.


The next steps that the Philippines will take will be watched closely due to its sensitivity. The first one is choosing the best person to represent the country before China. Right now, there is no Philippine ambassador to China. Pnoy's appointee, Manuel Ong, is not just unfit for the job; but an obvious liability. Ong is perceived to be very close to China. 


Pnoy must appoint someone who knows China by serving as an observer. Meaning, this person should have a previous experience of looking in even from the outside. Ambassador Basilio is one such person. 


It harms Philippine interests if such amateurs like, say Chito Sta Romana is designated as ambassador. For one, Sta. Romana is a staunch Maoist. He has stayed in China for several decades as a dissident, and his loyalty is questionable. Whose interests will Sta. Romana pursue when push comes to shove?


A seasoned diplomat is needed in this time, a person who can speak like a Romulo, act like a Siazon and be firm like a del Rosario.  Time to hire a true-blue Patriot to deal with a bully such as China.


The Philippine decision to send a delegation to the State department is not a very welcome move since this action plays in the hands and plans of globalists. Why send a delegation when the Philippines is still not yet in war? Besides, it is axiomatic for the US to help the Philippines in case the shooting war starts because of the mutual defense treaty.


By sending a delegation there in the United States shows two things: first, it shows the vassal-master character of US-RP relations. Why report to the US when the only thing that is happening right now is a naval standoff? Second, it is a sign of weakness. Why go to Big brother when this thing can be resolved diplomatically?


Lastly, the Philippines must step up the propaganda war against China. The government must be made to realize that the eventual winner of this dispute is the one most vocal and most active in asserting its rights. The Philippines will survive a war against China if it enjoys the backup of the rest of the international community. Without this, the Philippines stands naked and vulnerable before China.

Spratlys Issue connection in forthcoming coup?

The US just expressed its overwhelming support behind the Philippines in the disputed Spratlys island controversy. The thing about this is, China's continued claims harm the interests of the Philippines and the rest of ASEAN. China's military think tank recently issued an inflammatory statement, reiterating the use of force to assert its so-called sovereign rights upon these groups of islands.


Nationalist Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario tried to use diplomacy in engaging China into a constructive dialogue but it appears that these Chinese are playing hard ball. China claims the entire group of islands and is using its economic as well as military might to position itself as the biggest and the largest force ever. 


NOw, what is the objective of China now that the Philippines has strengthened its position? It is clear that China will try to move surreptitiously against the Philippines.


The Philippines, it is clear from the perspective of several analysts, is still unstable. The present administration has shown its partiality towards the West. Previous administration is East-oriented, with China as the biggest country involved in most projects in the Philippines. It was during the Arroyo administration that China was able to penetrate the Philippine infrastructure, both critical and non-critical. 


This suddenly changed with the arrival of the new administration. Almost all projects or contracts involving Chinese companies have been placed in the backburner. However, curiously, this administration has failed to touch on Chinese involvement in telecommunications. IN the event of an armed "showdown", China can very well dismantle or debilitate this country's telecommunications network with just a switch. 


Anyway, it is clear that China will not be using its military card, no, not yet. It will try to resolve its problem by "curing the core", that is an unsympathetic government. How to do that? BY supporting ouster moves against Aquino.


The main or principal character in the present campaign against Aquino is reportedly very close to China, instrumental in making the former KAMPI a member of China's ruling Communist Party. 


During the Japanese times, we had what we call "Makapilis"--Filipinos in hoods spying against their fellow Pinoys. Now, how do we call these pseudo-nationalists who think like Chinese and act like one? They are called Chimoys. :-) Joke.

Philippines surrenders early on to China: While Vietnam prepares for war against the Chinamen

While our neighbor, Vietnam prepares for a live fire drill following its recent spat with China, here we are calling for a truce. Why are we calling for such? Are we the ones who started this verbal war in the first place? No, it was China. 


Who sent their warships in the Spratlys? Who built illegal structures there? Its those Chinamen. And we, who are aggrieved, we whose rights were violated, are the ones calling for a truce? Have we no shame left?


Who's the aggrieved party in this spat against these stupid Chinamen? We are. Six of our seven islands have been occupied. We have aerial photos to prove it. Even the Chinese government already admitted that it did, built structures in those six islands. 


Who threatened country-claimants involved in the Spratlys Islands to "move away" from there and not claim those islands anymore? Its China.


Who said that those islands, even those reefs and banks in the Palawan sea as theirs? Its China.


The verbal tussle has not even started yet, and here is our Presidential spokesperson calling for a truce? Kumbaga sa away, hindi pa nga umiinit eh, umurong na tayo?


Have we no shame as a people?


Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile is right. We should show our anger. We should show our protest. 


Why are we so afraid of these yellow-colored bullies? Are we afraid that these Chinese will bomb us with their nuclear weapons? ARe we afraid of their army?


Of course not! Maliit man tayong bansa, pero, we need to fight for our rights by expressing our disgusts and not let other countries bully us.


Have we no shame left? And why is our president so concerned with China losing face? They are the aggressors. They started this. Have we lost our self-respect as a people that we now allow a bully to occupy part of our sovereignty?


I fear that our government, especially our President, is mishandling this situation. I am afraid that if push comes to shove, we will lose this early in the game, simply because we have a president that does not know what to do with this issue.


Yes, we are the weakest force in the Pacific. We probably would last an hour in a modern war.


Even though, I would prefer to go to war and prove to the world that I love my country and I'm willing to defend it against such bullies as China, than surrender what I think is mine. 


Eh, so what if they have a million armed men? So what if they have many airplanes, warships, subs and the like?


It is better to die fighting than surrender the Motherland.


Puro dakdak lang itong pangulong ito pero wala talagang pagpapahalaga sa Inang Bayan.

Stupid is as stupid does

What stupidity!

Malacanang reporters received an email from the Palace. And what the email contains is very stupid indeed.

It tells of a story of a Filipino businessman hacked to death by Chinese criminals a few years ago. And the email goes that Noynoy apologized for the August 23 hostage crisis while the Chinese government did not.

How stupid.

First, the issue here is not that hostage taking or any other crime even homicide does not happen anywhere in the world. Shit happens. And the issue is not if shit does not or does happen here in the Philippines. The fact is simple--how a particular government handles such a situation.

Let me tell it as it is---the reason why Filipinos hate this administration so much right now is the way it handled the crisis situation, period.

They so mishandled it that it is now both a diplomatic and an embarrasing international situation.

The situation was badly handled that it has now taken a life of its own. It has stirred a hornet's nest in Hongkong and China and has now taken the China-RP relationship into a very tense situation.

It has taken a very bad and serious turn that Malacanang is even trying to stir up more trouble by asserting sovereignty over the post-mortem investigation. What? What is sovereignty got to do with a request from China of a parallel probe? Is Malacanang trying to stage a whitewash, that's why it does not want Chinese forensic experts to really know who really killed those eight Chinese nationals?

We can tolerate neophytes, but bumbling idiots? We don't deserve such a government in our midst.

By the way....

I am soft launching my book today, " The Black Book on Crisis Management: How to Diffuse a PR Crisis in Just 3 Days".

It sells at US$ 9.95 in e-book form. Those who want to buy a copy, please email me at mangubat.patricio@gmail.com. Calling Malacanang! Maybe you want a copy of the book?

China should re-read the Baselines Bill

Unknown to many, I once worked as Foreign Affairs Specialist at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). I was detailed at the department's think-tank, the Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS) or what we all call "sears". Handling the economic diplomacy desk, I was one of those who recommended and accurately predicted the inclusion of China in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the possible re-organization of the regional trade organizations into multilateral economic zones. This is happening right now.

This latest caper by China, issuing a protest over the Senate's watered down version of the Archipelagic Baselines Bill is a comedy, a laughable thing which, probably stemmed from the inability of the Philippine Charge d'Affairs in Beijing to translate the bill to Mandarin. The statement is a knee-jerk reaction from the Chinese, albeit, done grinning sheepishly while saying it. Come on, China. We both know that the bill diluted our claims to the Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough shoal. Under the "regime of islands" concept in the UNCLOS, the version practically abandoned the claims, and yet, you protest. And for what?

Because we did'nt unilaterally dropped the entire claim, as you suggested in talks with the Arroyo administration late last year? Your attaches and political operators went into full high-gear diplomacy with our Congressmen, those very close to Arroyo, to ask our government to abandon the claims in exchange for commercial transaction of the Congressmen's self-appointed companies and a whooping government-to-government loan under the China Exim bank.

Former UN representative Lauro Baja already told the whole world that the Philippines erred in passing that version since it effectively handed over to you the entire Kalayaan archipelago. You can now exploit those territories for themselves, says Baja.

China should re-read the bill and revert back to us with a reasonable answer.