An ordinary fisherman had somehow fulfilled Duterte’s jetski campaign promise after he stood up to Chinese bullies. He taunted and made fun of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) amid tensions surrounding territorial disputes in Scarborough Shoal on Monday, September 25.
Arnel Satam, now an unofficial hero on social media said that he was mocking the CCG while its ship, 3105, was in a stand-off with a Philippine vessel, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Bankaw.
He wanted to be given the chance to enter the shoal but was immediately chased. It was caught on video that Satam was being steered away aggressively by two CCG vessels.
After the chase, Satam even went around the CCG ship as a sign of protest.
“Hindi ako natatakot. Pinagtatawan-tawanan ko lang sila. Inaasar ko lang sila.” said Satam.
This was after CCG attempted to block entry to BRP Datu Bankaw which was going to disburse 60,000 liters of fuel subsidy to fisherfolks in Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos located inside the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Duterte’s Jetski Promise
During one of the 2016 Election’s Presidential Debates, Duterte was asked by a fisherman about his plans regarding China and the disputed territory in which the then mayor of Davao gave what many thought was a patriotic and heroic answer.
“Pupunta ako sa China, ngayon pag ayaw nila, then I will ask the navy to bring me to the nearest boundary dyan sa Spratlys, sa Scarborough, bababa ako sasakay ako ng Jetsky, dala-dala ko flag ng Pilipino at pupunta ko don sa airport nila tapos itanim ko.” Duterte answered.
“Then I would say this is ours and do what you want with me. Bahala na kayo. Matagal ko nang ambisyon yan na maging hero ako” he added with his usual humor.
However, it remained a promise until the end of his term.
In a speech on May 3, 2021, Duterte admitted that it was all campaign talk and that he was only bragging. “Panahon sa kampanya iyan, at tsaka iyong biro na iyon, we call it bravado. Iyong bravado ko was just a pure campaign joke,” he said.
Duterte even went as far as calling those who believed his joke – which are mostly his own supporters - as “Stupid”
Real Courage
Whether he was telling the truth or lying just to act tough, what Satam did was the equivalent of planting the Philippine Flag in front of the Chinese bullies. It was more action than Duterte’s Jetski promise.
What is more impressive is that he was an ordinary fisherman with a small fishing vessel, with no political power as pointed out by netizens on social media.
“Real courage in its proper place! Salute to Mang Arnel and the crew in his mother boat” @ursula_abuela tweeted.
“Mas matapang sa gawa ito di tulad nung naupo nung 2016, matapang lang sa kapwa Pilipino bahag naman buntot kapag Chinese” Ronn Sanchez commented on a post.
Others are more aggressive with their comments comparing Satam’s courage to that of certain politicians.
“Eto (y)ung moment na pinataob ni Arnel Satam si Rodrigo Duterte at Robin padilla” a certain CathyF tweeted.
“It’s not about flashy promises or political stunts; it’s about the real heroes who stand firm on the frontlines, facing adversity w/ courage & determination.” @mkiarah2021 tweeted.
Meanwhile, another netizen seems to be throwing shade to some senators who went to watch the FIBA game between Philippines and China while wearing “West Philippine Sea” t-shirts with a Philippine flag below the text.
Buti pa si Mang Arnel kahit hindi naka-T-Shirt ng WPS, lumalaban!!! - @russelsantos.
#ArnelSatam #Hero #Duterte #Jetski #CampaignTalk #ChineseCoastGuard #WestPhilippineSea #ScarboroughShoal #OpinYon #WeTakeAStand