The Expect Should Expect the Worst With China's Refusal to Recognize the UN Authority
Posted on Sunday, 14 December 2014
The
Philippines Should Expect the Worst
With
China’s Refusal to Recognize the UN Authority
By Apolinario Villalobos
The vehement refusal of China to recognize
the authority of the United Nations to mediate in its differences with the
Philippines as regards the West Philippine Sea, should give a strong signal to
the Filipinos. Except for Vietnam that filed lately its own protest, the
seemingly inaction of other concerned ASEAN countries, has just emboldened
China to go on with its brave and defiant actions in developing and protecting
their so-called territories in the contested area.
The Chinese government has a reason in
losing its respect to the UN’s authority in the face of unrests that plague
member countries which the world brotherhood of nations failed to police. Even
the newly-formed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has enshrouded with
doubt UN’s credibility, as the former,
continually breaches the neutral line of the latter’s peace-keeping forces. Not
even the strong protests that tinged with threats from the so-called super
powers, Great Britain and United States, have put a stop to the terroristic
acts of the motley group of Islamic nationalists.
China has repeatedly expressed its resolve
not to honor whatever decision the UN court will make in favor of the
Philippines. And, as it is wont to do, the giant country may even slap a
“disciplinary action” on the Philippines for its persistent move to seek the
mediation of a third party. Worst, China may impose demands when, eventually,
the Philippines agrees to sit down for a bilateral “compromise” agreement. The
Philippines is left with no choice, anyway, as it cannot even expect help from
UN.
Another worst scenario is when an untoward
incident between the Chinese naval force and the weakling Philippine Navy shall
ignite an excuse for the former to make an invasive action. A single shot is
enough. The Chinese can easily say that they are protecting their territory and
in retaliation can launch an attack of the neighboring populated islands of the
archipelago. If that happens, I doubt if the US will lift a finger, because,
its President shall still seek a mandate from their Congress. Nothing in the
questioned latest “agreement” with the US Armed Forces provides for their
immediate action in case China attacks the Philippines.
Doubtful, too, is if the Philippine
government has already plotted options that could prevent the occurrence of the
worst scenarios, or when they shall happen eventually. The West Philippine Sea
case has practically become a “test case” to prove if indeed, China is the new
world super power that should be feared, or at the very least, respected. The
world is gawking at this Pacific side of the world, waiting for what will
happen next… and the Philippines is one of the pawns.
Finally, with the UN’s diminishing
credibility, its “weak” members are left to the bullying of the “strong” ones.
The mandate of the organization’s court of justice that is supposed to protect
the territorial rights of member- countries has become a simple memo. The
weakness of the UN could lead to a chaos – a formidable threat to world peace.
Discussion