Jose Rizal, The Spratly Disputes, and Philippines-China Relations Posted on June 19, 2011 by Rommel Banlaoi by Rommel C. Banlaoi As we celebrate the 150th birthday anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero whom Leon Ma. Guerrero describes as the “First Filipino”, the Philippines is beset with a sovereignty challenge in a complex maritime dispute over some territories in the South China Sea (now called by the Philippine government as West Philippine Sea). The South China Sea, where Rizal navigated during his trip to Spain, is composed of two major groups of islands: the Paracels and the Spratlys. The Philippines is enmeshed in a troubled dispute in the Spratlys where the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) or Freedom Island is situated. The name KIG does not only represent the Filipino freedom that Rizal advocated during his lifetime. It also symbolizes the freedom of navigation that Rizal enjoyed during his long cruises to Europe. These two freedoms are now under threat because of renewed security tensions in the South China Sea. One major source of this security tension is the growing assertiveness, if not aggressiveness, of China to pursue what it calls its “undisputable” ownership of the entire South China Sea. Because China believes that the South China Sea is part of its internal lake, it puts the Philippines and China in a troubled relationship. Jose Rizal is inevitably involved in the Spratly disputes and Philippines-China relations. First, one of the occupied Philippine territory in the KIG is named after him – the Rizal Reef. Otherwise known as the Commodore Reef, the Rizal Reef is approximately 200 nautical miles from the Northwest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan and closest to the Palawan municipality of Balabac. The Rizal Reef has a total land area of 3.7 hectares if not submerged under water during high tide. The Rizal Reef is one of the richest areas in the Spratlys in terms of marine biodiversity. Its coral reef formation can be classified as an atoll because of a reef system surrounding a lagoon. When I visited Rizal Reef in May 2009, coral reefs were still well-preserved and enormously beautiful like a magical rainforest under the sea. Like the multi-talented Jose Rizal, the Rizal Reef has diverse marine resources like different species and varieties of fish, sea grass, shells, and water organisms. If Jose Rizal is our national hero who fought for our national freedom, Rizal Reef can also be declared as a national marine sanctuary to preserve its marine richness and to promote its freedom from threats of environmental destruction. Jose Rizal also provides a strong link in Philippines-China Relations. Jose Rizal is a Chinese-Filipino who inspired many nationalists around the world, including Sun Yat Sen, the founding father of Republican China. Jose Rizal is a Filipino with Chinese ancestors who serve as testaments to long-standing interactions and friendships between the Philippines and China. To recognize Rizal’s ancestral roots in China and to symbolize China’s close relations with the Philippines, a Rizal Monument is in fact constructed in Jinjiang Municipality of Fujian, China. This monument is the tallest Rizal Monument in the world. It is six meters taller than the Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila. There are currently 10 Rizal Monuments outside the Philippines. In other words, Jose Rizal has already left an indelible ink in Spratly dispute and symbolic link in Philippines-China relations. But if there is something the Philippines and China can learn from Jose Rizal, it is his commitment to peace and non-use of violence. The commemoration of 150th birthday of Jose Rizal is therefore a stern reminder to Philippines and China of their long-standing friendship. The life and ideas of Jose Rizal are also strong reminders to both the Philippines and China that in the midst of their differences on the Spratly disputes, the path to peace is always a noble option. About these ads
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 05:38:32 +0000
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