Long live the Philippines, Goddamit!
(A message for Independence day)
At first, this note bids greetings to the Filipino folk in its day of its struggle for Independence.
As the Filipino folk observe this day of commemoration, this note expresses all concerned patriots to continue more resolutely in seeking truth from facts and struggle amidst this ever-continuing treachery brought by the present order with its shameless giving up of patrimony and sovereignty.
For the fact that this order, through the current Duterte administration, first and foremost sworn to upheld its vassalage by maintaining the status quo of local despots, of unequal agreements with foreign masters, that have reduced this occasion into an hollow phrase, a totem pole.
How come? Way contrary to his supporter's views, Duterte rather continues those of his predecessors in instituting neoliberal and oppressive policies ranging from rice tarrification, debt servicing, TRAIN law, attempts to remove economic provisions, to those of his "war on drugs" and of the "anti terror act." These actions cater much to interests, of both Chinese and Americans att he expense of the people's welfare. Electric generation is at the hands of the Chinese not just the contested Spratlys and Panatag shoal, that through rice liberalisation meant smugglers and profiteers raking profits at the expense of the farmers and of the hungry mass, the country remains to be a neoliberal-globalist cog as cheap labour, resource extraction, displacement of communities for "development", and remaining a servile market for surplus products and capital. For the neoliberals and globalists alike, this is the "development" they desired for- even at the expense of the folk and its patrimony. Call it a repetition, but this kind of continuity brought by the order is a continuity of disenfranchisement and injustice.
And to think that Duterte, trying to be assuming as a "patriot" if not a "nationalist", has treated Philippine independence, territories, and sovereignty as commodities to be sold to the highest U.S. or Chinese imperialist bidder for economic concessions. He has allowed China to pilfer our economic resources and build military bases in the West Philippine Sea, thus effectively crippling the livelihood of fisherfolks. Even belittling the decision in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea rule uphelding the Philippines' exclusive economic zone over the contested Panatag and Spratlys. "That’s just paper; I’ll throw that in the wastebasket" as what he said, way too contrary to his "patriot" or "nationalist" stance his supporters babbled about. He even maintained the decades-old vassalage to U.S. imperialism, fluctuating between subservience and blackmail in order to force the U.S. to provide support whether economic or military aid. Not only has he not scrapped a single military pact between the Philippines and the U.S., but he has in fact ensured a stronger foothold in the country. However his sycophantic trolls might spin it, electing to protect foreign interest over the Filipino people’s is sheer puppetry, not astute foreign policy.
Expect apologists would try to defend their idol madly as people increasingly expressed much about national interest. Some even resort to gaslighting, harassment to silence those who concerned not just themselves after the drug war or corruption, but the selling out of patrimony, sovereignty all for a multi-million pittance. It doesn't matter for these apologists about "human rights" as like their idol would claim they value "human lives", when in fact way far from their claim as innocents died in his era claiming be to be that of "change". But the fact that the Filipino folk has becoming concerned, eagerly seeking truth from facts, not surprising that they expose the order's bullshit- that of repressing people though his attack dogs, while claiming to be powerless in front of an aggressive China over the contested isles and subservient over the contested unjust agreements be it those from China or the United States. This bullshitry underestimates the struggle of those who paid their mind, sinew, blood, sweat, and tears for that country's independence. Long live the Philippines! Goddamit! as this note would say.
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Despite shortcomings, mistakes, and failures, hope that these doesn’t hinder the direction. But this also doesn’t mean moving on, rather, a time to rectify, learn, all prior to forge and fighting back, especially in pursuit if a future that is, for the folk and land. Expect as well numerous challenges both today and in the future, of this pandemic, unjust agreements and treaties, foreign interventions in one’s sovereignty, an incompetent government yet full of braggadocio, and an oppressive social order that’s benefiting the few.
And like the heroes and martyrs who fought for this nation’s independence, continue learning, forging, fighting- for this struggle for a nation’s future doesn’t end in celebrating a feat such as this June 12.
Again, this note hopes this day as more than just a celebration of a victory nor remembrance of its heroes and martyrs who offered everything for the cause, but a time to rethink as a nation- and if there are numerous mistakes, then tis a time to rectify, reaffirm principles, and move forward carrying aspirations.