Misplaced pride and false sense of patriotism

Commentary
By Marlene Damolo Howe

(The following is Marlene Damolo Howe’s response to “Chinese Dream: Beyond the First Island chain”)

Twelve senators voted to reject the extension of U.S. bases in the Philippines in 1991.

The US has mutual defense treaty with Japan and their presence in that country compelled the US to take action immediately after China’s unilateral decision of ADIZ. Though the US military has cut back on defense spending due to Obama’s sequestration, the military will not just sit back and watch especially if their interest is threatened. Japan is completely in alliance with the US which is contrary to the Philippines’ position regarding American presence. Many of our politicians and civilians alike don’t want foreign intervention except when we need them for financial and economic aid. We expect the Americans to come at our beck and call and then show them the door. Otherwise, some will shout profanities at them and burn their flag. That’s how our demeanor is towards the US lately.

China is conscious of the American presence and is not stupid to instigate a war against the US and its allies. I was reading the news regarding this show of defiance against China but the US pulled back and did not do anything past that. China is becoming bolder more and more because the US is in deep debts to China. China’s other goal is to weaken the US economy because a weak economy means a weak military. But hopefully, whatever failure Obama administration has incurred both in domestic and foreign policies can be reversed when a new president is elected. I hope he will be fiscally responsible and has a strong leadership. Whoever that will be, whether a Republican or a Democrat I hope that he is more qualified to become the next president of United States.

As for the Philippines, our leaders have to think of becoming more independent if that is the reason why they don’t want foreign intervention. Isn’t this what our nationalist Manuel L. Quezon said? “I prefer a country run like hell by Filipinos to a government run like heaven by Americans because no matter how bad our government is, we can always change.” But have we changed? Being nationalist is not bad for as long as you think for the country first before self. But our leaders have been self-serving and less patriotic at that. The people are also complacent and apathetic. We have not changed! We have MISPLACED PRIDE and FALSE SENSE OF PATRIOTISM! We talk about it constantly but we don’t show it in deeds. Our leaders are kanya-kanyang diskarte to line their pockets. If Japan and South Korea can rise up amid the rubble of war, so can we! Another example is Malaysia. A newly formed country in 1963 but their military is much more modern and stronger than the Philippines. Their leaders are also corrupt but smarter! They knew then as they know now that in order for them to hold onto their de facto control of Sabah which is their “milk cow”, they need a strong military in case they get into a confrontation with us to reclaim Sabah and against any country that might threaten their sovereignty. When China intruded in our waters, we could not even go vis-a-vis with them because we don’t have the resources. I remember PNOY begging the US to intervene on our behalf. Is that being independent? We seem to be influenced by a metaphor of Juan Tamad who kept dreaming but too lazy to do anything to make the dream a reality.