Perspective on Life in the Philippines
Published in “The Brownsville Herald” February 25, 2007
On February 18 an article “Life in the Philippines – People’s War against terror” by E. Elizabeth Garcia, appeared in the Brownsville Herald. It noted that toxic waste residues might still be a problem at our former bases in the Philippines and mentioned the rape of a young woman there by a Marine.
I was saddened by the reports.
I served six tours in the Vietnam Conflict and frequently visited and worked in the Philippines at the facilities in Cavite City as well as those in Baguio, Santa Rita, Angeles City and Onlongapo.
Over the last forty four years or so, I have periodically lived and worked in the Philippines and consider it my second home. I have also frequently visited and continue to visit the Clark Airbase vacation area which is the home of a world class golf course, casino and gourmet restaurants not to mention a quite good duty free shop.
I also often visited the now excellent recreation areas at the former Subic Naval Base where in addition to the great golf course and casino there is also a world class marina. In fact, a family member currently leases a vacation residence that was originally a part of officer housing, to avail the family of the great golf and forest areas. The forest may be one of the few that still exist in the area due substantially to the military conservation efforts.
In this column I have proudly pointed out the special relationship between the Filipinos and Americans.
I think it is important to remember how we became enmeshed.
As a result of the Spanish American War the Philippines was ceded to the United States who administered it and promised independence after ten years of preparation, in the Philippine Independence Act (Tydings-McDuffie act) of 1934. In 1946, two years after promised, independence was effected.
Admittedly, I left out a lot of less than fair dealings at the time of the Treaty of Paris; a War of Independence by the Filipinos against the U.S. and numerous issues of prejudice in an earlier America.
Then the Japanese occupation in World War II was thrust upon us and began a new era where we worked together for the freedom of the Philippine Nation.
Filipinos have had a hand in the making of the U.S. as well, such as the Filipino settlements in Louisiana in the 1700’s and those seamen that claimed “Moro Bay” (Los Angeles) for Spain in the 1500’s.
We also remember when they most dramatically showed us their mettle, and removed an administration that had become intolerable solely by the “power of the people”; no violence was necessary!
Many folks with Filipino roots have also come to the U.S. and found the “American Dream”. Just look around the next time you are in a hospital, these excellent physicians, medical technologists and nurses, are not only very technically competent but renowned around the world as caregivers. You will also find them in schools and universities as some of our better educators and thinkers.
Given the enterprise and courage of the Filipino people, as I know them, I find it difficult to believe that both of the issues identified, as well as any others that come up from time to time, would not normally be resolved to the satisfaction of both national interests, however I have also found that there may be more at work than is obvious.
I looked at the organizations that work with or sponsor the Christian Peacemakers. The “People’s Task Force for Bases Clean-up” that Ms. Garcia refers to in her column is a supporter of “YONIP” Yes, Observe National Independence & Peace an activist Web site associated with a giant in the peace movement in the Philippines, Professor Roland Simbulan.
I have read a number of his writings and often find my head nodding in agreement, however on many occasions the professor paints the “Imperial United States” as the villain in all things and the CIA as the ever present evil provocateur.
It is no secret that both the government and the intelligence agency have made lots of mistakes but I dispute the assertion that they are done concienciously to keep the Philippines in a subservient position and that the goals of the CIA are to advance that position. It seems from his positions that he is attempting to use some of the current situations to embarrass the Philippine administration for “Lack of a Sense of Country” and its relations with the United States.
His articles published on “YONIP”, such as CONTEXTUALIZING THE SUBIC RAPE CASE AND THE VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT (VFA), set out a method to accomplish the goal and also seem to be the foundation of Ms. Garcia’s talking points.
I would certainly hope that malefactors in the Philippines do not misuse Ms. Garcia’s obvious passion for peace and fair treatment, and her comments to actually encourage a situation that would precipitate a worsening of the situation.
To that end I have forwarded a copy of her concerns as expressed in the article to Philippine Senator Richard Gordon who grew up in and was the Mayor of Olongapo for twelve years. It is largely through his efforts that the region was able to develop an economic base in twin plant type manufacturing, and recreational use to replace the lost income when the American forces left. He also turned what was once known as “Sin City “ into a model city with efficient garbage collection, integrated solid waste management, health and sanitation, and crime prevention which earned it the title of the “Cleanest City” in the Philippines.
In regard to the comments referring to prostitution increasing as a result of the “Visiting Forces Agreement” the numbers of U.S. military personnel involved are small and not frequent; and therefore not likely to increase the numbers of clients enough to require more sex workers.
Much more an issue are the young women that are misled into entertainment job contracts and poorly conceived “domestic” positions around Asia as well as those who seek out work as Guest Relations Officers in the many bars in the Manila area and those who also are led into situations where they supply the burgeoning “Sex Vacation” businesses with clients from all over Asia and the rest of the world.
Lastly, I consider it a personal affront that Ms Garcia observed a Filipina woman in the company of a white man and judged that she was obviously a prostitute and he was an American. A number of Europeans and Australians also live in the Angeles area and not all Filipinas in the area are prostitutes.
My wife is a Filipina from a prominent family and like many Asians appears much younger than her age and certainly younger than myself. We have been married for a number of years and I would not like to think it possible for such a conclusion to be drawn when in fact, it is bigotry of the worst kind.