‘But Filipinos of the New Year of the Wooden Dragon can afford to comfortably TikTok or FaceBook, without realizing perhaps that they can be lucky and also resolve a major conflict if they focus on empathy.’
A DOCUMENT of, for, and by puppets. “The Japanese monitored the drafting of the (1943) constitution and instructed the members of Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence… that the constitution should conform with the principles of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. In September 1943, the draft constitution was unanimously approved by all members of the PCPI and was submitted for ratification in a popular convention of the Kalibapi in Manila.” [Official Gazette. Manila, Philippines. Vol. 2, No. 9—A. Bureau of Printing. 1943. pp. 29—48; https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_Philippines_(1943)] It took a Special General Assembly of the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas especially elected and convened for the purpose to justify this treeware. [Official Gazette. Manila, Philippines. Vol. 2. Bureau of Printing. 1943. pp. 876—877] And this neo-colonial blueprint awarded authority to the Chief Puppet to barter away the Filipino national patrimony: “The prohibitions and limitations provided for in this Constitution, notwithstanding, the President of the Republic of the Philippines may enter into an agreement with any foreign nation for the utilization of natural resources and the operation of public utilities, which agreement shall expire upon the termination of the Greater East Asia War.” [Article XI: Transitory Provisions, Section 7]
While the Allies (British, Indian, Chinese troops) were fighting a life-and-death battle at Ngakyedauk (Sinzweya) in the Southeast Asian Theatre of World War II, guess who was politicking and thereby neglecting to protect his countrymen from the fascist invaders? “‘If you want to be free from the yoke of the military police, then sign the Constitution,’ President Laurel told his constitutional assembly. All the delegates unanimously and hastily signed, especially those who were guests of the Military Police at its hotel by the Pasig. Although the Japanese have demonstrated a decrease in persecutory activities during these four months of independence, they are not sleeping and they continue keeping watch. Recently, they showed their fangs again, making a series of spectacular arrests. Among those apprehended were 16 Spanish Filipinos belonging to well-known families–Elizalde, president of the Casino Español, and other persons who were at a party celebrating the birthday of Joaquín Elizalde, Resident Commissioner in Washington. Also arrested were the Mother Superior of a Canadian religious congregation, and Fr. Rufino Santos, Secretary of the Archbishop.” [https://philippinediaryproject.com/1944/02/08/february-8-1944/]
Why be adjuncts to the Nipponese imperialists who perpetrate brutalities like the 1942 Bataan Death March, which was exposed once more on 07 February 1944 when Life magazine published the article titled “Death Was a Part of Our Life” with photographs of Second Lieutenant Leo Boelens, First Lieutenant Michiel Dobervich, Captain William Edwin Dyess, Second Lieutenant Samuel Grashio, First Lieutenant Jack Hawkins, Lieutenant Commander Melvyn McCoy, Sergeant Paul Marshall, Major Stephen Mellnik, Captain Austin Shofner, and Sergeant Robert Spielman? These ten American members of the “Davao Dozen” escaped 04 April 1943 from one of the main Japanese prisoner-of-war camps on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. [https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/davao-dozen-bataan-death-march]
Of this American periodical’s scoop, were Filipinos aware? Residents of wartime Manila could still manage to speculate and engage in scuttlebutt: “Vargas was named Ambassador to Tokyo more than three months ago, but he has not yet moved from Manila. The press reminds us periodically that the Republic has an Ambassador, the first and only one named so far, although without residency. He was named in October and he assumed the post the month after. In December, the names of the embassy personnel were announced, and the Assembly approved the purchase of a mansion for the Embassy in Tokyo for a million yen. Yesterday the immobile Ambassador presented his credentials to the President and Minister of State. What next? According to rumors, the Ambassador is neither interested nor in a hurry to move out, and that his family is hoping his departure would be postponed.” [Diary of Juan Labrador, O.P., February 6, 1944] In contrast, in the Eastern Front of WW2, celebrations of liberation from the Hitlerites: “Today, February 8, at 21.00 hours (Moscow time), the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 12 artillery salvoes from 124 guns our gallant troops which captured the town of Nikopol… Death to the German invaders!” [Order of the Day issued by Marshal J.V. Stalin and addressed to Soviet Red Army Generals Malinovsky and Tolbukhin, 08 February 1944]
Thus, a glimpse of the conflict-ridden situation 80 years ago. But Filipinos of the New Year of the Wooden Dragon can afford to comfortably TikTok or FaceBook, without realizing perhaps that they can be lucky and also resolve a major conflict if they focus on empathy. [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/lunar-year-2024-harness-power-dragon-fortune-how-to-rcna135558]
Empathy for the fallen, for instance: “Nine years ago, 44 brave men died without seeing the dawn of peace bloom on the land their blood made hallow… It is now up to us — who lived — who benefitted from their full measure of devotion to duty, to build a kinder and gentler society… (But)We would also be disrespecting their memory if we give quarters to those who terrorize our people. We would be devaluing their valor if we cede our territory to those who would trespass upon it.” [https://pco.gov.ph/presidential-speech/speech-of-president-ferdinand-r-marcos-jr-on-the-day-of-national-remembrance-of-the-heroic-sacrifice-of-the-special-action-force-saf-44/]
Respect for civil liberties: “Manila 02 February 2024 — The Philippine government affirmed its commitment to sustain dialogue with United Nations Special Rapporteur, Ms. Irene Khan, in relation to national efforts to strengthen structures and mechanisms that uphold human rights and elevate media freedom, as the UN expert concluded her 10-day visit from 23 January to 02 February 2024.” [https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/34063-un-special-rapporteur-lauds-philippines-strong-anchors-and-prospects-to-advance-freedom-of-opinion-and-expression] Khan had said she underscored the need for the Marcos administration to seek justice for rights victims under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. [https://apnews.com/article/un-irene-khan-philippines-human-rights-3d5b13306d067a192d62ee258102e9f4] Respect for hard work: Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma issued on January 26 Labor Advisory No. 1, Series of 2024, to remind employers of the proper payment of wages for the additional special (non-working) day on February 9 in celebration of the Chinese New Year throughout the country. [https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/chinese-new-year-wage-payment-rules-issued/] Respect for Filipinos: The Bureau of Immigration apprehended Chinese national Ding Xiaoqui last January 24 for violating the conditions of his working visa. The arrest was conducted in coordination with Naval Forces Southern Luzon. [https://immigration.gov.ph/chinese-man-working-in-retail-in-albay-arrested-by-bi-regional-ops/]
