AS the leaders of America celebrate the contributions of Filipinos to the United States during this month-long Filipino American History Month, kababayans in America cannot help but feel “lost,” lamenting what seems to be the beginning of the end of a long-time friendship and alliance between our Motherland and our adoptive country.
This comes in the wake of President Barack Obama’s special message for kababayans in America, in celebration of the countless ways Filipino Americans have helped move our country forward.
Pres. Obama wrote: “An unshakable faith in the promise of America has guided people to our shores since our founding. When they arrived, many of those who first settled here suffered setbacks and faced challenges in their pursuit of the American dream. But with relentless optimism, they held their heads high and laid down their roots—building our country into the beacon of hope it is today.
“The earliest Filipinos arrived at Morro Bay, California in the 16th century, and Filipino Americans have long played an integral role in shaping the life of our country. They have been the artists who challenge us, the educators who keep us informed, and the laborers of our growing economy. And throughout our history, they have served as members of our Armed Forces, helping safeguard our Nation and the values upon which we stand.
“During World War II, Filipino Americans stepped forward to join our military and fight back the tide of tyranny. Many of these individuals have since petitioned for family members to join them here through our legal immigration system but have waited years to be reunited, even after their petitions were approved. This year, my Administration launched the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program, which enables certain Filipino-American veterans to request that their family members join them in the United States as they wait for their green cards. For many, this policy will allow loved ones to provide support and care for elderly veterans and their spouses. This program is an important reminder that we must support those who serve our Nation not just in times of war, but throughout their lives.”
However, President Rodrigo Duterte reciprocated with another provocative message to Pres. Obama, saying the U.S. president should “Go to hell”, and signaled an end to joint war games. He also issued an ominous statement that declares that during his term, the Philippines will “break up” with America, and announces that he would rather bond with China and Russia.
These remarks have been casting doubts on the future of the two countries’ military alliance.
Duterte has reportedly been provoked by criticism from the U.S. government and the international community of his war on drugs, which has allegedly taken the life of more than 3,000 people with very little regard for the rule of law and due process — laws that are stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of which the Philippines is a signatory.
When warned that such alleged violations of human rights might affect the aid and assistance the Philippines receives from the United States, Duterte said he does not need help from America.
The Duterte administration downplayed all the assistance and aid the United States has been giving to the Philippines especially during times of disaster — financial assistance that comes from the hard-earned money of Americans, including Filipinos paying taxes in the United States.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay contextualized Duterte’s statement, asserting that the United States has “failed” the Philippines, and that is why Duterte has made it his mission to liberate the country’s “shackling dependency” on its long-time ally.
In a report by ABS-CBN News, Yasay said that despite winning independence from the U.S. in 1946, Americans still regarded Filipinos as “little brown brothers not capable of true independence and freedom.”
“Breaking away from the shackling dependency of the Philippines to effectively address both internal and external security threats has become imperative in putting an end to our nation’s subservience to United States’ interests,” Yasay said.
“We will never allow China or any other nation to bully us or deal with Philippine interests under another carrot and stick policy,” he added.
President Obama said in his message, “As we mark this special month, we celebrate the ways Filipino Americans have lent their unique voices and talents to changing our country for the better. Their immeasurable contributions to our Nation reaffirm that as Americans we will always be bound to each other in common purpose and by our shared hopes for the future.”
Filipinos in Americas wonder how we can move forward under the shift in foreign policy of the Duterte presidency and the growing animosity the Philippine government is creating against the United States.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
