By: Modesto P. Sa-onoy
Since the beginning of the last century the United States loomed over the Philippines, first as a colonial power and after the grant of Philippine Independence, our closest ally. Since then our defense program has been hitched on the military and economic strength of the United States.
The Philippines however, shifted course with the assumption of President Rodrigo Duterte who expressed in many ways his apparent dislike for the US. The American criticism of the President’s anti-illegal drug campaign that the US described as violations of human rights must have piqued the President. To further show his dislike for the US, he moved closer to China which was happy to get the Philippines on its side. This was what President Marcos called “the China card,” a leverage tool.
In return China offered liberal loans and fund assistance to the Philippines to strengthen its hold and open the gates for Chinese nationals to invest, do business and even take permanent residence here. The Filipino Chinese communities that retained their close relationships with China were euphoric and they exploited the President’s preference for China. More Chinese businessmen and even gangsters are now in the Philippines.
The US was understandably concerned, especially after the President canceled the annual joint military exercises between the armed forces of the US and the Philippines. China has been critical and had opposed these exercises because it clearly showed they are directed to a possible invader – China.
Despite China’s avowals of friendship and promises to respect Philippine territory, it refuses to respect the International Law of the Seas that affirmed our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. In fact, Chinese armed vessels had been harassing Filipino sea vessels and had constructed military facilities in one of our islands. China’s behavior does not show it meant its pledge of friendship.
The recent meeting in Manila between the US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana revived the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries. Last March, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo’s reaffirmed the US commitment to the Defense Treaty not only for the defense of the Philippines but of the entire Pacific region, including the South China Sea.
Reports say that the joint statement between Esper and Lorenzana “addressed some ambiguity in the MDT of 1951, which provides that the United States and the Philippines shall support each other if either were to be attacked by another country.”Anti-US Filipinos assail this treaty as unclear and ineffective.
Although China warned the US to stop “flexing its muscles” in the South China Sea, Esper and Lorenzana said the US and Philippines were committed to upholding the freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea in this area.
That Chinese warning was hypocritical since it is China that had been flexing its muscle in this part of the Philippines and has even ignored our government’s protests. China also ignored the protests of other ASEAN nations about its incursions in the area. China insists it has exclusive claims in the region and refuses to recognize even the findings of international tribunals.
The meeting of Lorenzana and Esper did not receive any disclaimer from the President. Is there a change of attitude? Has it already dawned on the present administration that the words of China’s officialdom cannot be trusted?
For most of us the US is a more reliable partner than the inscrutable China. While it is true that prior to the communist takeover of China, the country had not invaded other nations, still the Chinese annexation of Tibet and its behavior in the West Philippine Sea does not lend trust to China’s intentions.
Leftists and communists in the Philippines lambast the US almost as a habit but have remained silent when China violated our territory. Of course, they do not want to offend their bedfellows.
The US had been our staunched friend, despite the early bloody experience we had during their colonial period. Nevertheless, the US also proved a good friend and during World War II it honored its word to relieve us of the Japanese burden.
The US is a democracy; China is a totalitarian regime. Between them a democracy whatever its defects, is more reliable than a dictatorship no matter its proffered generosity and promises of respect for Philippine sovereignty.
