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The Compassionate Americans
First Published: Reflections - Philippine Daily Inquirer Publication Date: 8th August 1991 Author's Name: Father Shay Cullen MSSC Mahatma Gandhi, the ascetic leader of the non-violent movement to bring the colonial rule of the British Raj to an end in India was invited to a top level meeting in Delhi by the Governor . A ranking British official who thought Gandhi 's demands were preposterous asked something like this: " Do you expect her majesties Government just to get up an leave India " "Yes, I do", Gandhi replied. "One day you will just leave" And not too many years later, that is exactly what they did, the right and sensible thing, they left with their dignity and relationships intact. Mahatma Gandhi is forever honored and remembered for helping the British make that wise if painful decision. The Philippine Senate is in a unique position today. Will they stand by their own people and reject the proposed treaty to extend the US bases or protect Americans interests? I believe the majority of the Senators are men of learning and vision. They see and understand the portentous implications of their decision for the future of this great but brow beaten people and they will say enough is enough. They will stand by Filipino interests and reject the treaty. They too will go down in history as heroes of Filipino independence and just let the bases go. The American state department could learn a lesson from that page of British colonial history by realizing that threatening economic retaliation against the Philippines if the Senate does not ratify a bases treaty is already creating resentment and anger among many Filipinos who do not like to be threatened by a "former" colonial government who has extracted vast wealth and privileges from this country for many many years. Issuing threats now is like kicking the slave when he refuses to kiss the masters feet. But there are still some Filipino elites who puppy like enjoy kissing every toe to get a colonial pat on the head. Cancelling part of the Philippine sugar quota is perhaps one signal that they intend to carry out their threats. With the Philippines reeling from one natural disaster after another what could be a more heartless and discompassionate thing to do and even worse has yet to come they say. I have written before about Philippine dependency on the United States and the "politics of hunger" that characterizes the relationship. I pointed out already that sustained poverty prevents a poor country from biting the hand that feeds it. What these threats are saying is; "Just remember where your food comes from." They are made against a poor country that has hosted them for decades making them even more reprehensible. Especially when the country is poor in a large part because of a long history of colonial commodity extraction and exploitation. And what makes it even worse is that it continues to this day with the help of a few pro- American Filipino business, political and financial elite working against the interests of their own people who suffer greatly. It is this unjust economic power structure that is the curse of the poor and condemns them to eternal poverty. The presence of US military bases is just one major indication of this servile relationship, "we are a people owned by others" as one Filipino nationalist put it. Most Filipinos who are not too hungry or worried to think about it realize that the bases issue is greater than what is left at Subic. Blaming President Aquino for this sorry state of affairs is unrealistic, that is a simplistic scape-goat mentality. We are looking at a complex system that has been in place long before 1986 and if and when the base does go it does not mean that the problems of this country are solved. Far from it. The challenge of real democracy and beating poverty will be even greater and the challenge to change the colonial inspired system that created and promotes it, is even greater. We can only hope that with the bases gone one major reason for US government manipulation of Philippine politics will be gone too making the task of changing an oppressive system that much easier. The positive forces in the United States may realize there is more to be gained by a real democratic, prosperous and stable Philippines than an unstable colonial remnant. I believe that that US government officials will not carry out their threats against the Philippines in the event that the Senate does not ratify the Treaty. The outcry would reach the American people most of whom are decent, honest and compassionate people who will understand the hardships the Filipino people have to endure without being harassed by US made economic disasters. The American people are not vindictive and don't relish having the role of an oppressor of the poor thrust on them by a few of their politicians. Most are generous and self-sacrificing they wont tolerate threats and intimidation tactics by their politicians. A full page paid statement from American Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) and individuals that appeared in this newspaper a few weeks ago testifies that closing the bases will be welcomed by many Americans. Leaving with dignity and good grace is the only way to go.
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