Author name: Robert T. Wagner

The South China / West Philippine Sea remains one of the most volatile flash-points in contemporary international relations, where overlapping territorial claims intersect with vital economic lifelines. China’s expansive “nine-dash line” assertion, invalidated by the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines, has fueled escalatory gray-zone tactics, such as ramming incidents, water cannon assaults, and boarding operations, which test the boundaries of armed conflict.

In arguably one of the most turbulent periods of internal political conflict in its history, the influence of elite families controlling the economy would decline dramatically in the event of the Philippines breaking up into eight new nations, while creating new and greater possibilities for those in the legal profession.

Rodrigo Duterte, the former Philippine president currently facing ICC charges for crimes against humanity related to his “war on drugs,” will likely have a hard time with Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza presiding over his ongoing appeal challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

Holding elites responsible for bad behavior has always been difficult in a country with one of the lowest journalistic safety environment ratings in the world.  But even during a period of relative press freedom under Bongbong Marcos – where undeniable evidence now comprises a mountain – an inability / unwillingness on the part of local courts to throw the book at culprits could derail the country’s long search for justice, as well as manifesting the death knell of its credit rating and foreign investment.

Worldwide, Social Media manipulation, fake news, disinformation and cellphone use addiction is becoming the de facto bane of civilization. Our ability to discern between fact and fiction has been virtually negated under a tsunami of online data, spat out by endless legions of bad actors to prey on innocent, naïve minds. Is this new Devil here to stay, or can we summon the forces of light to push him back into the shadows?

In the span of just two weeks prior to the publication of this article, the Philippines has been battered by seismic fury. On September 30th, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu province, claiming over 70 lives, injuring hundreds and leaving a trail of collapsed buildings and disrupted infrastructure in cities like Bogo.