‘Who is the Philippines’ friend/partner/ally: the USA or the Communist Party of China?’
THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines wants to lead the democratization of history for the people.
Okay. Let us start by reviewing events 20 years prior. “Statement of the President: Ambush attempt on Mayor Arcillas. We condemn the series of assassination attempts on municipal executives, considering that this is already the 4th case within the span of weeks.” [https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/07/08/the-presidents-day-july-8-2003/]
A different tune in April of 2022: Rodrigo Duterte joked that it would be cheaper for vice mayors to hire an assassin to kill mayors than to run in the elections. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll0YyJh3Tmw] In late February of 2023, Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda, John Duane Alameda, Abraham Ramos Jr., Ismael Nanay Sr., Alexander Delos Angeles, and Alvin Abel were bound for Manila when they were waylaid by at least six suspects in Sitio Kinacao, Barangay Baretbet. [https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/aparri-vice-mayor-5-others-killed-in-vizcaya-ambush/]
How democratic were those killings?
Two decades ago: at the opening of the three-day Corporate Social Responsibility Expo 2003 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the trial of Yunos Muklis (who admitted primary involvement in the 2000 Rizal Day bombings) is a tribute to “our sense of national community to meet the challenge of security” and a reminder that terrorists will not go scot-free. [https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/07/09/the-presidents-day-july-9-2003/]
In late June of 2023, troops of the AFP Western Mindanao Command killed Nasser Yussef Husain and Norjihad Husain (who were involved in a series of bombings in central Mindanao) plus five more members of the terrorist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in a law enforcement operation in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao del Sur. [https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/7-killed-in-clash-were-biff-members-afp/]
When will the War on Terror conclude?
Twenty years ago: “Statement of the President: Marcos Wealth Decision. This is a high point for the prestige of the Supreme Court, which has proven itself to be a champion of impartial justice and social conscience. The value of this landmark decision lies not only in its positive repercussions on the socioeconomic life of our nation but in affirming the high principles of democratic rule. It builds on the future of our nation by upholding the Filipino people’s struggle for freedom and redemption.” [https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/07/16/the-presidents-day-july-16-2003/]
Last January, the Supreme Court upheld the September 2019 decision of the Sandiganbayan junking the government’s P1.05-billion civil forfeiture case filed against the late Ferdinand Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos (parents of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) and several of their cronies who allegedly acted as their dummies in acquiring expensive artworks, clothes, jewelry, and properties here and abroad. In a decision made public, the High Court’s First Division dismissed for lack of merit the petition for review filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government seeking the reversal of the anti-graft court’s decision dismissing the complaint against the Marcoses and the Tantoco family. [https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/sc-upholds-dismissal-of-forfeiture-case-vs-marcoses/]
Welcome to Bagong Pilipinas.
Two decades ago: “Statement of the President: Jeepney Strike. I have instructed the DOTC to sustain the dialogue with the jeepney groups involved, as well as to ensure that transport facilities are fielded to temporarily serve stranded passengers. We shall pursue a comprehensive solution that will combine appropriate relief measures for jeepney drivers and the overall modernization and expansion of the transport sector. We must avert disturbances in the mass transport system and act expeditiously both on grievances as these arise and on the immediate needs of the riding public.” [https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/07/22/the-presidents-day-july-22-2003/]
This week, the government is set to release a PHP2.95 billion in fuel subsidy for public utility vehicle operators and drivers to cushion the impact of the increase in fuel prices. It will distribute PHP10,000 to modern public utility jeepneys and modern UV Express drivers, while drivers of other modes of transport will receive PHP6,500. Data from the LTFRB show that 280,000 PUV drivers will receive the one-time cash grant from the agency, while 930,000 tricycle drivers and 150,000 delivery service riders will receive assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. [Philippine News Agency, “Gov’t to roll out nearly P3-B fuel subsidy to PUV, trike drivers,” August 7, 2023; https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207238]
Stick versus carrot.
Eight decades ago: “The story of the fighting on Bataan and Corregidor–and, indeed, everywhere in the Philippines will be remembered so long as men continue to respect bravery, devotion, and determination. When the Filipino people resisted the Japanese invaders with their very lives, they gave final proof that here was a Nation fit to be respected as the equal to any on earth, not in size or wealth, but in the stout heart and national dignity which are the true measures of a people. That is why the United States, in practice, regards your lawful Government as having the same status as the Governments of other independent Nations…The Philippine Government is a signatory of the Declaration by the United Nations, along with 31 other Nations. President Quezon and Vice President Osmeña attend the meetings of the Pacific War Council, where the war in the Pacific is charted and planned. Your Government has participated fully and equally in the United Nations Conference on Food and Agriculture, and a Philippine representative is a member of the Interim Commission created by that Conference…These are the attributes of complete and respected nationhood for the Philippines, not a promise but a fact.” [Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Address to the People of the Philippines on Post-War Independence,” August 12, 1943. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project]
Today: “The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of dangerous actions by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the People’s Republic of China to obstruct an August 5 Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
Firing water cannons and employing unsafe blocking maneuvers, PRC ships interfered with the Philippines’ lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and jeopardized the safety of the Philippine vessels and crew…The United States reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces–including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea–would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.” [Office of the Spokesperson, U.S. Department of State, 08/05/2023]
Today: The Department of Foreign Affairs on August 7, 2023 officially summoned Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian and demanded the cessation of illegal and dangerous activities in the West Philippine Sea. [https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207320]
Who is the Philippines’ friend/partner/ally: the USA or the Communist Party of China?
