Editorials

Media Blackout in dealing Scarborough Standoff

Finally, the thing that I waited for months is finally here-Media Blackout.

I heard some feedback before that being transparent is a psychological warfare but for me this strategy will be ineffective for China. Thus, we have to resort in keeping our military plans secret. Military approach are classified and should be executed first before being disclosed to the media.

President Benigno Aquino III gave instructions regarding the government’s plans and decisions involving the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)-Don’t telegraph our punches. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, a senior political adviser to the President, on Saturday described the actions that would be taken as “delicate.”

Another official, Ronald Llamas, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs, on Saturday appealed to the public to just wait for what the government would do.

Malacañang officials are hopeful that the general public will cooperate and support the President’s decision “as he exercises leadership in scaling down the tensions arising from the incidents in Panatag Shoal.”

“The government will lay out its position in due time after it has thoroughly evaluated the available options,” Llamas said. “While that evaluation and discussion are taking place, though, the premature public revelation of all the issues will only create confusion and make the process of reaching a peaceful and favorable outcome more difficult,” he said.

For Rep. Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa City and Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque City, there’s no problem with the President’s decision. “We can’t telegraph our strategic plans and intentions,” Biazon, a former military chief, said Saturday. “In effect, what we’re witnessing is that different members of the Cabinet are saying different things on the same issue. I welcome that instruction of the President.”

Golez, a former officer of Philippine Navy, said that’s how it should be, as “diplomacy is an opaque exercise.”

Golez had a reminder for everyone: Leaking vital information or state secrets is a criminal offense.

Source: PDI news by Norman Bordadora

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