Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. does not believe that the Philippines has become the laughing stock of its enemies due to the widespread disagreement, disunity, and difference of opinion among Filipinos, especially when it comes to the issue of the West Philippine Sea.
“Hindi naman laughingstock kasi alam ng kalaban natin na kung mapikon tayo, World War 3 kaya natin y trigger. Magisip ka lang (Not really a laughingstock because our enemy knows that if we get offended we can trigger a World War 3. Think about it) how easy it is; and how much cooperation we will get from enemy and friend alike. Isip (Think),” Locsin tweeted in response to a netizen’s comment about the glaring discord among Filipinos that dates back to the Spanish period.
He said if Filipinos speak in one voice on any matter, the country would be under a dictatorship, “the dumbest form of government preferred by the dumb whom impose it on the dumber who support it.”
“Unity is overrated. Supposed we were united, what of it? What counts is law. What happens might be force but what counts is law,” he pointed out.
He noted that the situation in the United States is the same although the divisiveness among Americans has gone to “sad extremes”.
Moreover, he said having no unanimity is a common glory to both countries and the “common assurance we shall always be free”.
“That’s (unity) for idiots; even those in agreement mercifully do not share the same reason; therein lies our common assurance we shall always be free,” the foreign secretary said.
Locsin’s series of tweets about disunity came several days after President Duterte challenged former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to a debate on the issue of the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff.
The President, however, backtracked from his challenge and instead designated Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to represent him in the debate.
On Tuesday, Roque became the target of Locsin’s angry tweets after he told Malacanang reporters that Julian Felipe Reef is not within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in contradiction to all the statements and diplomatic protests lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs against China.
Locsin was prompted to issue his “last warning” that only the DFA can speak on matters related to foreign affairs.
“This is my last warning. When it comes to foreign affairs the Department of Foreign Affairs has the exclusive remit. I don’t come from diplomacy; I come from a life that settled the hash of a lotta people who talked tough and ended up biting dirt. I don’t talk, I deal,” he said.