Will Xi play Trump like a banjo over the Philippines?
Analysis and Opinion
By Joe America
We have two freshly updated facts that we should attend to:
- Putin has played Trump like a banjo in Ukraine.
- China has stepped up her aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.
Regarding point 1: The US now considers Ukraine to be the aggressor causing war with Russia, and peace can be achieved by the Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. It’s bizarre, I know, but Trump adores Putin, positively gushes, and US policies reflect the result. They reflect Putin’s ambitions.
Trump also adores the ambitious Xi.
Regarding point 2: China recently smashed two of its warships chasing a Philippine naval craft near Scarborough Shoal. China also has recently brought in armed small craft near Second Thomas Shoal. Both locations are in Philippine waters.
One can feel the change, the uptick in force. China is coming. My guess is the Sierra Madre, a rusty Philippine warship grounded on a reef by the Philippines to construct a quick and dirty outpost, will soon be taken by China. It’s a logical small step that will test the US.
And Trump.
Xi is not dumb, not weak, and persistent in advancing China’s expansion in the Pacific.
He has to get the Philippines to back off and stop objecting to China’s claims.
If he uses Trump as his tool, or fool, he can get this done. He can put the Philippines back into its proper place as subservient to the great regional power, China.
Sara Duterte can also be a tool. For sure.
When the Philippines is subdued, then the entire Central Pacific is open to China.
________________________
Cover photo from South China Morning 2023 article “China offers talks on oil exploration deal with Philippines as presidents Xi Jinping and Ferdinand Marcos meet“.
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
Both strongmen know that he’s not only a figurehead with possible chronic diseases, but also he is backed by men with vested interests finding profit from conflict and control over the powerless. That both Russia and China have resources and enormous talent that would make them survive longer than the West, and so they are seeking control, to create a post-America world where all other countries would be forced to pay tribute or risk further isolation.
I’m sure Malacañang has anticipated the possibility of a worst-case scenario of where the US abandons its allies, collapses onto itself and devolve into a second civil war, and perhaps now moving with haste to develop programs requiring cooperation with other countries affected by Mainland pressures.
“both Russia and China have resources and enormous talent that would make them survive longer than the West” that is what they want people to believe. This is true:
a) Russia has enormous resources. Talent it still has.
b) China has enormous talent for sure. Resources less.
c) America has enormous resources and still huge talent.
d) Europe still has talent and innovation but got a bit soft.
e) India has talent and is powerful but quite a mixed bag
What else is in between?
1) In between Europe, India and Russia there is a veritable mess, no further comment.
2) Between Russia, China and USA there are the East Asian economic powerhouses.
3) Southeast Asia is also adjacent to major power (not yet superpower) India.
What the US has repeatedly shown throughout history is its capacity to bounce back. Europe as part of the West has endured a lot in the past, will it be able to do that again? That is how the “cards” and “players” look like to me in this crazy 8+ player “pusoy”.
Was, about 10-20 years ago, except right now the Trump regime is figuratively killing off the talent that’s normally from past history of diversity and tolerance, replacing them with money-seeking but socially frustrated young male whites out to impose power over others… Scary things such as building AI-powered surveillance programs to harvest social media, profile, flag and send cops to arrest people without warrant.
Countries can indeed harm themselves. Germany making major mistakes contributed to both the Manhattan project and the American space program, but maybe it is better that history went that way.
America still has major tech companies, but the effects of what is happening now can indeed take some time to be seen.
there has been two attempts on trump’s life. you know about what they said about 3rd time lucky? nah, americans would dither dither, their chicken dinner.
there is so much going on in the overall collective planning, allies are there, they have eyes and ears everywhere. nothing happens without them knowing. though someone just have to give permit to push the button, but no. there has not been world war the past 80yrs! too scared maybe to unleash nuclear armageddon, uneasy peace hold sway, with sproradic fighting here and there. is what I think.
One resoure China has leverage is rare earth they can blackmail the world by with holding. One example consequwnce car manufacturing would be delayed by not having magnets that control heat and friction.
US abandoned rare earth mining and refining to comply to environmentalists’ lobby. This gave rise to China.
Yes, those other alliances are important given Trump’s unreliability. China only needs a few more steps to control Philippine seas though. The Sierra Madre. Scarborough Shoal. They need to take Philippine Rise for the resources there. That’s about it. Filipinos will devour each other. Those other alliance partners will wonder why they are bothering.
There are so many possible outcomes to the present global situation that it is mind-boggling. But there is a difference I believe between the strategy most of us here in Europe have and the strategy I suspect (maybe I am wrong) most Filipinos have:
1) Zelensky is certainly not going for what some are trying to tell him and his standing his ground. The mindset here is mostly to stand our ground, worst case is what another situation like 1949-1989 maybe with just Iberia and UK/Ireland left as part of the free world? Best case I believe is a stalemate over the next few years as no one is going to back down and maybe from Joey’s POV Europe is too slow, yes we are, we aren’t fully ready for all this, hope we rush a bit.
2) The Philippines is more likely I suspect to decide to go with Sara Duterte, maybe just giving in to China hoping everyone will profit from it most than going with the “losing rooster” of the West. Will that do the Philippines good a la 1898 or will that be another 1942-1945? Who knows?
Different mindsets and different “diskarte” if one wants to see it like that.
Joe’s bookie Sal was my guest for weeks and drank all the whisky I no longer drink, then left. Meaning I don’t even know the gambling odds for all this.
🤣😂🤣 So THAT’S where he’s been!!! I can envision a scenario where both the Philippines and Taiwan decide fighting the beast is futile without US backing. So no war. Just the retreat of America, Europe working within Europe, and China rising in the Pacific and South America. But you are right. There are many chips left to play.
One of the main economic reasons for the USA to protect Taiwan is the chip industry. The Philippines is geographically a shield against an invasion of Taiwan.
The question is what will win in Washington, reason or madness, we never really know do we?
I think madness is on display daily so it’s hard to have confidence in reason. That’s the foundation of the article I suppose.
Any summit with Xi would be like any Putin summit. Claiming huge success but still back to the drawing board.
The US successfully conducted its foreign policy with the “deep state” meaning professional staff and advisers over decades.
What is happening now is a superpower trying to do amateur hour (see how crazily tarriffs went) while its competitors are of course run professionally.
Maybe he wants to try Suntori and look for KB in Cebu.
Maybe many of us will. 🙂
Cheers!
por dyos, por santo! where was sal the bookie when I needed help the most! I got bullied by a transgender woman, the tallest I’ve seen, black glossy hair in pony tail, weighed nearly same as me! 110 lbs with that height, trans must be eating air only. I was at the airport patiently waiting for my flight when trans suddenly sat next to me. of all the empty seats, trans chose the one next to me. did not even ask if the seat was occupied, well, I did not put my bag on it, have I done that, I could have said the seat is occupied, my bag is on it!
if trans was trying to intimidate me, make me gave up my seat. well, I’m not moving. trans elbow nearly hit me when trans took a sandwich from her fake birkin bag and proceeded to eat daintily, not smudging the very red lipstick trans wore. white sliced bread, crust removed, very thin slices of cucumber in between. obviously weight conscious.
I couldnt just sit there like a dead tilapia, and got up to buy strong black coffee with no sugar, and if trans thought I was gone for good, wrong! I came right back and plonked myself in the seat I have just left! while trans was eating prettily, I was slurping my coffee, making as much annoying noise as possible. if trans complained about my noise, god forbade! I was going to spit my coffee on trans pretty face. trans held hisher own, I held mine, at hindi kami nagsabunutan! announcement made trans get up, next flight was called, not mine. and with trans sashaying away, I prayed the airplane trans was on fell off the sky, crashed!
where was I? ah, okay, if china did invade philippines, simbako lang! people like me will just run to the hills. and I hope the likes of gilbert teodoro will not vamooshed overseas! gone hiding. leaving poor us to face the brunt of xi’s smiling face!
I think, filipinos will stay, not really standing our ground, we just have nowhere to go. and if we die, then we’ll come back in another life. if we are enslaved, we will be grudgingly. is that life? we have been betrayed before. so what now? breathe. air is still free.
We may not go anywhere but hope springs eternal for a better PH
yeah, no point to die worrying. better be happy! eat and be merry.
In any case India’s breaking away from the US and tying knots with China notwithstanding border disputes and Russia out of necessity notwithstanding High tarrifs.
Good points. There is a drift. Power attracts.
India is playing a very complex game if you ask me. Turkey is also playing its own game even as it is a member of NATO, but that isn’t the topic here. Indonesia shows China its limits but also has a Chinese-build speed train on Java, long before anything Duterte promised for Mindanao.
The difference between the Philippines and these three countries might be that the latter know who they are and what they are doing. How far the process of the Philippines defining its own interests and identity is, I can’t tell, maybe time will finally tell.
I do not see that the super power players know what they are doing.
Trump thinks negotiations or the deal will be the panacea.
China thinks it has leverage through rare earth and many ships and aspiring to catch up in space programs.
Russia still supplies oil to China, India and the rest.
UK still insures Russian ships that carry Russian oil….
india plays a great deal in ensuring russian oil escape sanction. firstly, india receives crude from russia, then refines the crude for export to other countries.
Exactly. Again you said it best.
Here’s how Russia has been navigating around Western sanctions through enablers like India, Iran, shadow fleets, UK insurance gaps, and OPEC mechanisms:-
–1. The Shadow (or “Dark”/“Ghost”) FleetRussia relies heavily on a shadow fleet—a large network of aging oil tankers with opaque ownership, often registered under flags of convenience, lacking proper insurance, and using deceptive practices like disabling tracking systems or conducting ship-to-ship transfers. This network enables covert oil delivery and evasion of Western enforcement.It’s massive: estimates range from 600–1,600 vessels, representing a substantial share (sometimes cited as 70–90%) of Russia’s seaborne exports.Growth has slowed in 2025 due to heightened regulatory scrutiny, but the fleet remains deeply entrenched in Russia’s oil strategy.-
–2. India’s Role: Shadow Fleets & Sanctions-Proof Supply ChainsNayara Energy, partly owned by Russia, turned to a dark fleet—aging, obscure, often sanctioned vessels—to keep importing Russian oil after EU sanctions in mid-2025. These tankers often disable tracking and undergo renaming to evade detection.Major Indian refiners (e.g., Indian Oil Corp., Reliance Industries) have built sanctions-proof supply chains using intermediary entities, non-blacklisted tankers, and insurance providers outside U.S. sanctions. Onshore storage in places like Fujairah helps camouflage oil’s origin.Indian insurers have been authorized to cover these trades. Notably, firms like Sogaz, Soglasie, and Alfa (extensions into 2025–30) are allowed to insure such cargoes—countering the dominance of London-based insurers.-
–3. Iran’s “Ghost Fleet” and Sanctions Know-HowIran pioneered sanctions evasion through ghost fleets: vessels that obscure ownership, use shell companies, reflag under Panama or Liberia, disable AIS, engage in ship-to-ship transfers, and falsify documentation.Russian and Iranian officials have reportedly exchanged techniques for streamlining sanctions evasion, particularly in oil and financial networks.Some of Iran’s vessels that once evaded its own sanctions now facilitate Russian oil, highlighting this operational synergy.—4. The UK’s Insurance Loopholes & Enforcement GapsWhile the EU and UK banned Western insurers from covering Russian oil, many shadow fleet vessels operate uninsured or with non-Western insurance.UK authorities have challenged over 340 suspect vessels in the English Channel since 2024 for lacking valid insurance or concealing ownership. Enforcement has had an effect, but masks and obscurities remain widespread.Estimates show that as little as 16% of Russian oil shipments are covered by primary global insurers, with many relying on opaque or sanctioned companies.-
–5. OPEC & OPEC+: Geography, Discounts, and Price DynamicsRussia coordinates with OPEC+, helping shape global supply and prices—and thereby indirectly supporting its ability to export oil at discounted yet profitable rates.Discounts on Russian crude entice buyers like India and China, even under price caps. The oil remains profitable when underlying structures mask its origin or bypass tracking.-
–Summary of Key EnablersEnabler Role in Evasion StrategyShadow Fleet Core enabler—aging, opaque tankers move oil undetectedIndia Builds resilient networks: supply chains, middlemen, insurance, storageIran Shares ghost fleet strategies and vessels to camouflage shipmentsUK/Insurance Weak enforcement; alternate insurers and lack of coverage enable evasionOPEC+ Dynamics Price coordination and demand create economic cover for Russia’s exports
—These mechanisms work together—shadow fleets move the oil; India and Iran provide infrastructure, insurance, and routes; UK enforcement is just a partial barrier; OPEC+ dynamics help make the oil sales sustainable.Let me know if you’d like to explore any of these in more detail, like the environmental risks of the shadow fleet, specific tanker networks, or geopolitical implications!
India is important to us historically and looking forward.
Most regional language, behavior and culture have Induan Influence. The Chinese were all stuck in Cavite now being turned in to an airport.
We are controlled by vendors with now way to cooperate with others to complete a package.
Example Frigates that can have only one compatible combat magement system.
The standards belong to the dominant then to the one to eat them up.
India sold us the Brahmos, the rest of the infrastructure to run smoothly belongs to them
So we must not buy piecemeal
But ensure the whole package have an escape clause too.
For them not to grab our necks ready to squeeze or release.
Manufacturing can’t return to the US, though Canada seems to reneg on its counter attack of high tarrifss and US boycott.
The Just in Time manufacturing is the main culprit, the US can’t send arms to Ukraine. The rhetoric and bluffs are secondary.
Now, Trump must rely on Just in case manufacturing.
You should register that, Just in case manufacturing. Excellent.
Thanks, off to the patent office( wink wink)
Offtopic: No further explanation given regarding the removal of top cop Torre, despite a few months in position and quite seemingly a striking reformist contrast compared to some of his more controversial predecessors.
The successor cop Nartatez picked by the Palace is of unknown quantity, except there is allegedly an IG picture of Nartatez standing alongside the power-hungry Imee.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/26/2468181/marcos-relieves-torre-pnp-chief
Solid North?
It appears you’re asking about the connection or association between the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief and Senator Imee Marcos.Here’s what I found:—Key DevelopmentGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was appointed as the PNP Chief on August 26, 2025, succeeding Gen. Nicolas Torre III .—Imee Marcos and PNP Chief NartatezSenator Imee Marcos publicly congratulated Gen. Nartatez on his appointment, writing:“Congratulations to our new Chief PNP, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.! Agbiag ti Ilocano! Long live, Gen. Tateng!” .More context: She referred to him as a former Provincial Director in Ilocos Norte, signaling a regional connection given that Ilocos Norte is her home province .So, their association appears to be political and regional in nature—she publicly endorsed him, and he has served in her province prior to his national role.—Summary TablePerson / Role Association with Imee MarcosGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. Appointed as PNP Chief (Aug 26, 2025); Imee Marcos publicly congratulated him; both connected through Ilocos Norte.—If you meant a different kind of link—such as political alignment, working relationship, or shared initiatives—just let me know, and I’d be happy to dig deeper!
the man who put Duterte on the plane to the Hague, arrested Quiboloy and challenged Baste Duterte to a boxing match is going.
yet another episode in the zarzuela or teleserye that is Philippine politics.
The press conference of the DILG secretary led to more questions than answers.
Someone on X commented that Marcos Jr. is trying to be a reformer like PNoy but also please the traditonalists like Arroyo, which is a bit of a contradiction of course.
An impression is growing on me that he is not strong, he’s pliable. Daddy was always boss. I hope he proves that wrong.
like he does not know where else to turn to! those around him seemed to have vested interest. the one with the lesser of vested interests has been asked to leave. and that is quite telling, that maybe, in appointing the ex incumbent with the shortest time in office! the appointer was not good judge of character and has made quite a mistake.
and those that served under the appointer’s immediate pleasure had supposedly the better ideas more suited to the appointer, and so, had made the executive move the appointer couldnt. and now the appointer has to play along! stick to his gun and the appointer would find himself on the outside.
I agree. The best thing that can happen is a PNP chief who can rock the boat by bending like a bamboo when the winds are strong swim against the current without struggle by making the current work for him.
For PBBM, in a pit full of lions, snakes, and scorpions. The way to survive is to stand in the corner after creating a way to make them all cooperate ….or kill each other, which ever works.
president marcos might just recycle general torre. yes please! but I dont know why remulla has to do the talking when the president’s spox castro can do it. maybe dilg’s remulla is over reaching, haha. wants his name summat out there too, shining bright. but no worries really, remulla does not look like the monkey that baste duterte so detested and wanted to box! the man, monkey king! where is pigsy?
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/26/2468218/marcos-mulling-new-post-relieved-pnp-chief-torre-remulla
Napolcom is under DILG,PNP is under Napolcom. But yeah since his default answer was everyone serves under the pleasure of the president. I think Castro can do that without a follow-up due to being more convincing.
there are two remullas circling the president, methink his executive sec is a closet dds, and between the 3 of them, they had the president stitched tight. yeah, right, and they all served at the president’s pleasure!
jonvic remulla seems to have gotten the bragging rights of scalping the monkey man, the monkey king! remulla has been quite vocal about the man monkey’s fall from grace. while the man at the very top, the president, has gotten quite. I hope the president is okay! and not been under threat summat. told to stay the course or he’d be cooking his own chicken diner!
The reason is evidently insubordination in approving promotions and transfers that had not been approved by the police board and Sec Remulla, who heads that board. There has evidently been friction between the two for some time. I was told on FB that it is common for chiefs to make such appointments without pre-approval. That leads one to believe one of the appointments was upsetting to Remulla. My sense is that Torre was popular, Remulla not so much. That’s all I know.
you read my mind, joeam! gen torre was more popular than remulla, and toree got two bigger scalps under his belt, that of old man duterte and quiboloy. it was torre who doggedly stayed on course to pursue quiboloy in quiboloy’s compound despite sara duterte protestations saying quiboloy’s whereabout is unknow, probly gone overseas. torre also oversaw duterte’s ICC arrest.
3rdly, torre was even mention in the president’s sona as the boxing kampeon who have flatten baste duterte! and for all that torre has done, he got the sack! so maybe de lima et al are correct, torre has higher profile and his sacking had better a good explanation. you cannot just sack a hero on someone’s hearsay and without due process. ping lacson said torre overreach his authority, well, didn’t ping overreached too, and pull trigger while the president was deliberating about the anomalous flood control programs. using privilege speech at senate, ping named names.
at lot of people want torre to behave and follow order, to be masunurin, obedient. but torre was more than masunurin, he was also innovative and made waves with the 5minute response time that torre expected kapulisan to response to police calls. that must have rankled a lot of bigwigs kapulisan who cannot be bothered to response at all! some polis are caught sleeping during their watch, barely responding to calls at police station. emergency calls went unanswered, line always busy, maybe their phone is off the hook, haha. polis maybe public servant but certainly no one’s servant.
napagkaisahan yata si torre, napolcom chief has resigned citing smears to his name, then remulla got antsy. and torre duly got the sack.
dutertes camp must be in 7th heaven! bato is uber happy! nothing is forever kuno.
That’s a terrific summary. It is difficult when honest people work for scoundrels, which may be unfair to Remulla who I think set up a huge area for China to occupy. Well, I’m only hazily informed on it, but fish stink in places other than Denmark.
Chatgpt summary
Got it — here’s a consolidated profile of controversies and links involving the Remullas,i—📝
The Remullas – Businesses, Politics, and Controversies
1. Covelandia / Island Cove and POGO IssueBackground: The Remulla family owned and managed Covelandia Island Resort (later Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park) in Kawit, Cavite. It was operated by the family until 2018, when it was sold to a group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen.Controversy: After the sale, the site later became one of the largest hubs for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).Denial: Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla strongly denied involvement and offered a ₱10 million reward to anyone who could prove the family’s ties to the POGO industry.Resolution: By late 2024, government authorities padlocked and shut down the POGO operations at the site, ending its run as a gambling hub.
—2. Justice Secretary Boying Remulla’s Son – Drug CaseIncident (October 2022): Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III, son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, was arrested in Las Piñas after receiving a parcel containing nearly 900 grams of high-grade marijuana (kush), valued at around ₱1.3 million.Legal Proceedings:Charged with possession of illegal drugs.Acquitted (January 2023) by Las Piñas RTC due to irregularities in chain of custody and lack of proof he knowingly accepted the parcel.Separate investigations for drug importation and customs violations were also opened.Reactions:Boying Remulla said he would not interfere, emphasizing that his son must face the consequences.President Marcos Jr. dismissed calls for Boying’s resignation.Critics argued the case highlighted a double standard in the justice system, given the speed and favorable outcome compared to cases of ordinary citizens.—3. Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) ControversyIssue: The Sangley Point International Airport project in Cavite, a multi-billion dollar redevelopment plan, faced criticism for allegedly favoring a Chinese state-owned firm (China Communications Construction Company, CCCC).Backlash: Concerns were raised about national security, debt traps, and unfair bidding procedures.Cancellation: In 2021, the Philippine government canceled the contract with the Chinese consortium, citing deficiencies.Revival: By 2022–2024, a new consortium (including local firms and international partners like Samsung C&T and Munich Airport) took over, moving the project forward.—🔑
SummaryEconomic/Business Link:
The Remullas once owned Island Cove (Covelandia), later turned POGO hub under new owners. Remulla denied involvement, even offering a bounty to disprove allegations.Family Controversy: Boying Remulla’s son was arrested for a high-profile drug case, acquitted quickly under questionable handling of evidence—fueling public debate on justice and privilege.Infrastructure Issue: The Sangley Airport project in Cavite drew accusations of favoring Chinese interests, though later restructured with new partners.—👉 Overall, the Remullas remain deeply influential in Cavite’s politics, business, and development projects, but controversies involving POGOs, drugs, and Chinese-linked infrastructure deals have drawn scrutiny on the family’s role in governance and accountability.—Would you like me to also map this as a timeline (showing how the controversies unfolded from Covelandia → drug case → Sangley Airport), so the consolidation shows progression across years?
Thanks, Karl. Old school local politician serving himself and getting angry if criticized. Angered as a national politician feeling his power, so Torre, a strong decisive fellow, is gone. President Marcos bowed to Remulla.
Watch a news network saying that maybe it is time to talk to Magalong.
Maybe Magalong can enlighten him on many things. Lacson had already been listened too alot, maybe it is time to listen to others saying they can enlighten more.
Egzactly
Value of Taiwan aside from the Chips it is very near Okinawa the largest US bases near China and Korea.
We are entangled no.matter what the pardon the term peacenicks, ultra far left say the bases and or self defense can provoke and escalate.
plus we have Filipinos in Taiwan Japan Korea, Hong kong macao…..everywhere.
Okinawans and the rest of Japan have their own anti bases lobby and segment.