Effect of APEC

One of the immediate effects of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is the inconvenience that will be experienced by many of us, primarily those living and working in Makati and in certain areas of Metro Manila. The Metro Manila Development Authority had already started sending text advisories for people to avoid EDSA, Roxas Boulevard, Makati CBD and CCP areas due to the anticipated traffic, while the flight cancellations from both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific for various local and international routes have certainly wreaked havoc on people’s vacation plans.

But we all must look at this as an important historic event. The last time we hosted the APEC was in 1996 during FVR’s term and most likely it will be at least another 15 years before the Philippines will take center stage again and showcase the best the country can offer.

Aside from making delegates experience the legendary Filipino warmth and hospitality, local artisans and craftsmen will get a chance to display their talent via APEC souvenirs and mementoes. Another offshoot would be enhanced tourist visits as we are anticipating that the delegates will hopefully see first-hand the world-class facilities and excellent service in the hotels where they will be staying. Foreign CEOs and business investors will also be exploring business and investment opportunities on several sectors.

No doubt, the primary “stars” of APEC would be US President Barack Obama for obvious reasons, and the “new kid on the block,” Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who is generating a lot of interest especially among the female youth because he is young and good looking. Too bad that Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to come. There had been a high level of anticipation and interest about the Russian president, too.

I met with Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev for coffee at his home and told him it would have been the first time that a head of state from Russia would be visiting the Philippines since official diplomatic relations were established in 1976. The Ambassador himself noted that most Filipinos do not really know much about Russia, and there have been “misconceptions, prejudices and outdated clichés that are quite widespread in the Philippines about who we are and vice versa, and this situation should be improved. I see my major task is to facilitate people-to-people contacts – business people to business people, artists to artists and so on. Our peoples deserve to know and understand each other much better because we need each other,” he told me.

“Russia is not only a European country but at the same time an Asia Pacific country… and both the Philippines and Russia are major players in Asia Pacific affairs,” he added.

While the Philippines will not be initiating talks about the disputed maritime territories in the South China Sea, neither will it prevent other countries from discussing the issue. We asked Ambassador Khovaev about the position of Russia regarding the issue, and he was careful in giving context to his response. “I would like to clarify that we are not in a position to comment on the relation of one country with another; it is not in our tradition,” he said. But as far as the issue on the territorial disputes and with his country being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Russian position is based on three pillars: All the disputes should be solved by political and diplomatic means with no use of force or threats to use force; the countries involved should choose the format of negotiations; and a mutually acceptable solution should be based on international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

“Frankly speaking, no one invented anything better than talks and negotiations. Although this is not an easy matter,” he avers. Certainly, bilateral talks between APEC member-nations would be one of the after effects of the APEC. Aside from bilateral interests, many countries today share a mutual concern on global issues like terrorism, for instance.

Yesterday’s early morning news about another major terrorist attack in Paris on Friday – with over 150 people declared dead as of this writing – is driving fear and paranoia, prompting French President Francois Hollande to close down borders. While no one has yet claimed responsibility, this is a wake-up call not only for France but the whole of the West that it’s a changing world, and whether we like it or not, 9/11 and these continuing acts of terrorism have changed the way we all live today.

No question we must not let our guard down this week, but we know PNP chief General Rick Marquez has done everything he can to ensure security for the APEC. The general public should do their part and cooperate. We Filipinos are inherently hospitable and always put on our best behavior. Hopefully, President Aquino will do the same and make every effort to contain himself and be more diplomatic.

Last Friday, Philippine STAR columnist Vic Agustin in his column perfectly illustrated Aquino’s undiplomatic behavior. He showed photos of the President looking elsewhere and with one hand in his pocket while he shook hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malacañang. According to some of his friends, President Aquino very often cannot hide his feelings when he meets someone he does not particularly like. He should be reminded that for as long as he occupies the position of president, he is the official “face” of Filipinos before the international community. Many of his “bosses” were not happy with his behavior.

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