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International realitiesVintage ConstantinoPublished online: 26 Jun 2007.

To cite this article: Vintage Constantino (2000) International realities, Journal ofContemporary Asia, 30:3, 427-428, DOI: 10.1080/00472330080000411

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00472330080000411

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Columns 427

bined and favoring foreign interests, is as well entrenched as ever in this era of global- ization.

Andres Bonifacio, and all the other heroes whom we now remember for their revo- lutionary efforts must be turning in their graves. Their anti-colonial revolution, instead of being pushed forward was, in effect, pushed back at EDSA ten years ago. And the process of reversal is even more apparent today.

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International Realities*

Foreign Secretary Siazon informed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that based on his long experience in international relations, he is of the opinion that failure to ratify the Visiting Forces Agreement would invite severe economic sanctions from the US. The implication is that the lone superpower is a bully and that we have no choice but to bow to its will. Siazon advocates an attitude of resignation in relation to the super power. This would be a return to the old colonial relationship.

Reacting to the Foreign Secretary's statement, Senators Cayetano and Pimentel called it a form of blackmail on the senators in behalf of a foreign power. The two senators may not have been aware of the metamorphosis of Siazon from a mere implementor of the policies of President Ramos to an active Foreign Secretary on whom the incumbent President is relying for the handling of relations with other countries. The mettle of the presidential classmate is now being tested as the architect of the Estrada foreign policy,

The Foreign Secretary advertised to international realities and cited the case of Israel (whom he calls the chosen people of God) who selected the United States as its ally. In the first place, only the Jews claim that they are the chosen people of God. Siazon, who is certainly not a Jew, should not have used the term. In the second place. Siazon seems to be oblivious of the fact that the United States has strategic interests in the Middle East and used Israel as its instrument against hostile Muslim states. More- over, he does not seem to be aware of the frustrations of the Americans over Israeli policies which defy Washington's directives.

Then there was the attempt of the Foreign Secretary to present an analogy between oxygen and security. He said that you cannot live five minutes without oxygen but you can live for one day without food and water. According to him oxygen is like security. Without it you will not live. Therefore economic development should take a back seat.

* This column appeared in the Manila Bulletin newspaper, 16 August, 1998.

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We can be sure that the senators found the analogy too deep for them to ask for further elucidation. Someone should tell our nervous Foreign Secretary that his dark forebod- ings about American relations were not confirmed by events that followed the rejection of the military bases treaty in 1991.

Security has been loosely defined. It has become the magic word for securing American borders which now extend up to Asia. One remembers how the Vietnam War was pursued in the name of national security. How can our security be guaranteed by war exercises? The exercises have nothing to do with our defense, according to former Senator Tolentino. He correctly reminded the Secretary that these exercises have been going on without the necessity of a Visiting Forces Agreement. Why is the United States now insisting on the VFA? This is an indication that future exercises will be of long duration and require large American forces. Therefore the US wants to insure exemp- tion for its servicemen from the jurisdiction of Philippine courts.

Defense Secretary Mereado, for his part, stated that the non-ratification of the VFA may lead to an American decision to limit its presence in this part of the world. He feared a power vacuum if the American leave. Mercado should know that the United States will never leave Asia-Pacific because of her economic interests. The Philippines has no enemies, there is no visible enemy that is powerful enough to invade our shores. And what security is guaranteed when according to Siazon the US response in case war erupts over the Spratlys will depend on the judgment of top US officials?

Why can't our negotiators be like those of other small countries who place their sovereignty above all? Why do our negotiators easily concede to demands without put- ting up a fight? Why do they sometimes appear as spokesmen for the other side?

P4.6 billion was spent for the centennial of "independence." With the VFA, what we will be celebrating in 1998 will be the centennial of American military presence in the country.

---oOo---

The Mis-Education of the Filipino*

Education is a vital weapon of a people striving for economic emancipation, political independence, and cultural renascence. We are such a people. Philippine education, therefore, must produce Filipinos who are aware of their country's problems, who ud- derstand the basic solution to these problems, and who care enough to have courage enough to work and sacrifice for their country's salvation.

* This article appeared in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Contemporary Asia, Vol.l,No.I (1970).

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