Duterte: How can I prohibit China from fishing in our EEZ?

By Argyll Geducos

President Duterte said that he has no way of stopping China from fishing in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since it was the agreement for allowing the Filipino fishermen to fish in the disputed waters.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Duterte made the statement following calls from senators and other critics for him to make a stand and fight for the country’s sovereignty, following the sinking of a Filipino boat and abandonment of its 22-man crew by a Chinese vessel at the Recto Bank early this month.

In a speech in Malacañang, Duterte said the government cannot simply drive the Chinese out of the Recto Bank because they are insisting that they own the area, even if the Hague Ruling dictates that it is part of the Philippines’ EEZ.

“We cannot drive them away because they have insisted na kanila. Tayo, dinimenda natin ang China, panahon ni Aquino, which was right. Nanalo tayo, sabi ng Arbitral Court, sa Pilipinas ‘yan. Hindi binigay sa atin ang sovereignty (that it is theirs. We filed a complaint against them during the time of Benigno Aquino III, which was right. We won. The Arbitral Court said it is ours, but the sovereignty was not given to us),” he said.

“Ang sovereignty is only 12 miles. Ang economic zone, wala tayong (we have no) sovereignty. No country in the world has a sovereignty sa kanyang (in their) economic zone. It is not a question of sovereignty. Ang recognized lang ang 12 (Because what is recognized is only 12 miles),” he added.

Duterte then castigated Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio for supposedly urging him to look for trouble, calling the magistrate stupid.

“Alam mo Justice Carpio napaka-istupido mo. That is why hanggang diyan ka lang talaga. He’s from Davao. Basta doon pa hindi ako bilib diyan, buang na ‘yan. Walang ka-rhyme or reason (You know, Justice Carpio you are so stupid. That is why you’ll never get anywhere. He’s from Davao but ever since I don’t admire him. He’s crazy. He has no rhyme nor reason),” he said.

The President then explained that China is allowed to fish in the country’s EEZ because it was the agreement made with China so Filipino fishermen will also be allowed to fish there.

“Nagtanong sila (They are asking), ‘Will you allow the Chinese to fish?’ Sabi ko (I said), ‘Of course,'” Duterte said.

“‘Yan ang pinag-usapan namin noon kaya tayo nag-uusap, eh (That was the agreement, and that is why we are talking right now). And that was we were allowed to fish again. It was a mutual agreement,” he added.

Duterte also said that people cannot just also drive China out of the country’s EEZ because of the numerous infrastructure projects it has in the Philippines which were made possible after both countries decided to delay talking about the Arbitral Ruling.

“Ang usapan natin, huwag na muna ngayon pagusapan, mag-kaibigan lang muna tayo. ‘Pagbigyan ko kayo ng armas, ano pa gusto ninyo (The agreement was, let us be friends for now. ‘I will give you arms, what else do you want)?'” he said.

“Ang mga projects ngayon. Kita mo naman. You from Luzon. Kita mo ‘yung highway ngayon? Kita mo ‘yung mga… Tapos gusto mo lang na pilitin na umalis sila doon? Tayo ang mapulpog (And the projects. You see. You from Luzon, you see the highways? Then you want to force them out of there? We’ll be crying in the end),” he added.

The President then said he has no ways to kick China out of Philippine EEZ.

“Ngayon sabi nila (Now they are saying), ‘You have to ban China. I-prohibit mo (Prohibit them).’ Kung i-prohibit ko (If I do so), how do I enforce my desire?” Duterte asked.

“Takot nga ang America, ayaw nga mag-confront, tapos ako pa ang ipusta nila? Gusto talaga nilang mapasubo ako (America is scared and does not want any confrontation, then they want me to do it? They really want me to get in trouble),” he added.

Duterte said that the Philippines will not stand a chance against China if things get worse. He also answered critics who are asking if war is the only outcome if the Philippines would make a stand against China.

“‘Eh, bakit giyera lang…’ Ano? Talaga giyera ‘yan (‘Why are you always talking about war…’ What? It really will be a war)… My God, I am not willing to sacrifice any soldier or policeman to die na walang kalaban-laban (helplessly).” he said.

“Eh, kung magkapikunan? Kung paputukin ka nila, magpaputok ka? Ang hawak nila, kwitis, pero ang warhead is atomic bomb. Ang ating hawak, kwitis pero para pang-pista lang ‘yan. Hindi yun pang-away (What if tensions rise and they end up shooting each other? They hold fireworks but their warhead is atomic bomb. We hold fireworks but they are only for festivals, not for wars),” he added.

“Alam naman ninyo talo talaga tayo (You all know that we will lose) by the sheer might. Unang-una manpower, pera, at marunong talaga (They have the manpower, resources, and the brains),” he continued.