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[THE PRESIDENT] WHAT, WHY AND HOW By Joey L. Tabalno 8 <strong>INFORM</strong> August—September 2014
The Philippines and China is currently having a tension for almost two years because of the overlapping claims in the South China Sea including the Bajo de Masinloc or the Scarborough Shoal. The two countries have their own reasons and basis on how the disputed territory should be their own. The Presidents of these two countries play a big role in this case because they are the head of their country and have the power to influence the future impacts of this issue. The Philippine President, Benigno S. Aguino III, is making a loud noise in the international scene -- making interviews with international media talking about the said issue and providing solutions for the territorial dispute. “ At what point do you say, ‘Enough is enough’? Well, the world has to say it – remember that the Sudetenland was given in an attempt to appease Hitler to prevent World War II For the past two years, President Benigno S. Aquino III is aggressive in its action regarding the territorial dispute in South China Sea versus China. This includes the modernization of the military forces of the Philippines that is strengthening the guarding of the territory. However, the president actions include also of creating sympathy for the Philippines in international arena and forming alliances with countries that have the same interests contrary to China. Before departing for the 24 th Association of Southeast Asian nation’s summit in Myanmar, President Benigno S. Aquino III said that he would raise his country’s territorial dispute with China and call for support to resolve the conflict through international arbitration. He also added that the dialogue between two countries is not enough to settle issues that also affect others in the region. President Aquino also conducted a meeting with the U.S. President Barrack Obama and tackles the said issue in which the U.S. President said that the United States and the Philippines would consult closely together. These actions explain the strategic use of resources of President Benigno S. Aquino. He knows that the Philippines cannot compete with hand by hand combat in the military force of China. He also understands that the best option of coming out successful in this territorial dispute is to appeal to international law. He used the Association of Southeast Asian nation to gain sympathy and help in neighboring countries. Forming this kind of alliance with countries that has also territorial dispute against China can increase the power of putting pressure to China to resolve the issue in international arbi- ” tration. He also uses the strong ties between the Philippines and the United States in solving the issue in his prefer way. With a small country like the Philippines, this country’s president is making a loud noise regarding this issue. This can be associated to his interest as the President of the Philippines. In Aquino’s 90 – minute interview to the New York Times at the Presidential palace, he made his controversial remarks and said, “At what point do you say, ‘Enough is enough’? Well, the world has to say it – remember that the Sudetenland was given in an attempt to appease Hitler to prevent World War II.” He compared the Philippines condition with the fortune of the Sudetenland – the Northern, southwestern and western areas of Czechoslovakia occupied mostly by Germans – which fell into the hands of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany in 1938 after the Western nations unsuccessful to back the Czech government. This shows that Aquino is aware that the 9 <strong>INFORM</strong> August—September 2014 dispute with China could affect his administration in major economic and security concern. If nothing is done to solve the dispute now it would be hard for the Aquino administration in dealing with it in succeeding years where China can possibly have infrastructure in disputed territory. The action of President Aquino is coinciding to his interest of maintaining a good administration. The issue against China can create blockage in the improvement of the Philippines in his administration. This blockage can be a barrier to his vision and can make bad impression of the Filipinos to him if he will not take actions in the issue. Therefore, this interest can be the basis of the aggressive actions and claims in the disputed territory of the President of the Philippines. The Philippine President knows that it is his responsibility to take actions in this issue. His actions will reflect the capacity and power of his administration. His actions can also give good or bad impression to the Philippine society. It is the Philippine President interest to leave a good mark in his administration and he doesn’t want the Philippines to become the modern Sudetenland during his administration. However, with the current military capability of the Philippines, opposing the China’s military forces is not an option. He understands that resources that he can only use are the multilateral negotiations over the territorial dispute and the support on its alliance like the United States and other claimant’s countries in South China Sea.
Page 1 and 2: INFORM AUGUST—SEPTEMBER 2014 AUGU
Page 3 and 4: [Say What?] LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Page 5 and 6: With the colliding application of s
Page 7: 7 INFORM August—September 2014

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