OSLO, Norway (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – For his brand of diplomacy in dealing with the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was named today the recipient of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
While his political opponents are clamoring for his impeachment for his failure to protect his country’s territorial waters, peace advocates are praising him for refusing to go to war with China over what many are calling a Chinese intrusion into the Philippines’ fishing waters.
Most recently, Duterte had said that he will allow Chinese fishermen to fish in Philippine waters because China was a friend.
Internationally-accepted rules, in fact, recognize the fishing rights of all —regardless of who has claim over territorial waters — in areas considered to be “traditional fishing grounds.”
In deciidng to award Duterte the Peace Prize, the Nobel organization said the popular Philippine President has courageously maintained a stand of “Let’s all fish in peace.”
All we are saying is give fish a chance…