1944 - Imperialist United States decrees its right to retain military, naval, and air bases in its colony, the Philippines, via Joint Resolution No. 83 approved by the US Congress, supposedly intended for the 'mutual protection' of the colony and itself and or the maintenance of peace in the Pacific; the resolution, passed during World War II while their Southeast Asian colony is temporarily under Japanese hands, was originally but minimally enshrined in the Tydings-McDuffie Law that empowered the Bald Eagle nation to only retain naval bases; the North American nation will "grant" pathetic Philippines its independence in 1946 but not before establishing several colonizing mechanisms through agreements, treaties aimed at manipulating and controlling Filipinos' political and economic lives, which were to materialize as the controversial RP-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) to be signed by Philippine President Manuel A. Roxas and United States Ambassador Paul V. McNutt at Malacanang in March 1947, some eight months after Philippines was given its 'Independence' following the end of World War II; the MBA will primarily give Americans access to 22 military, naval, and air bases in the Philippines in the guise of providing mutual defense to the two countries.
Friday, June 29, 2012
29 JUNE
1944 - Imperialist United States decrees its right to retain military, naval, and air bases in its colony, the Philippines, via Joint Resolution No. 83 approved by the US Congress, supposedly intended for the 'mutual protection' of the colony and itself and or the maintenance of peace in the Pacific; the resolution, passed during World War II while their Southeast Asian colony is temporarily under Japanese hands, was originally but minimally enshrined in the Tydings-McDuffie Law that empowered the Bald Eagle nation to only retain naval bases; the North American nation will "grant" pathetic Philippines its independence in 1946 but not before establishing several colonizing mechanisms through agreements, treaties aimed at manipulating and controlling Filipinos' political and economic lives, which were to materialize as the controversial RP-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) to be signed by Philippine President Manuel A. Roxas and United States Ambassador Paul V. McNutt at Malacanang in March 1947, some eight months after Philippines was given its 'Independence' following the end of World War II; the MBA will primarily give Americans access to 22 military, naval, and air bases in the Philippines in the guise of providing mutual defense to the two countries.
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Calling the United States imperialist is nothing but self delusion. The Germans and Japanese were both ready to pounce on the Philippines once it was clear the Spanish could no longer hold them. The Filipinos though very brave were not capable of fighting off trained and equipped professional armies. While many aspects of American administration could have been improved upon the overall result was far better than if some other country had taken the Philippines. Furthermore, the American people made it clear that we would not keep the Philippines as early as 1902. The United States brought democracy to the Philippines and gave them a better future than any of Spain's other former colonies. If the American colonial administration was flawed part of the blame lies with the Filipinos who served in the government and enriched themselves. As for the bases they were a small price to pay for the protection the United States gave to the Philippines after World War 2. Now that the bases are closed everyone can see how China is exploiting the Filipinos inability to protect their claims to the South China Sea. And Chinese intrusion will not stop there. China may not claim any major territories yet, but it will pressure the Philippines to make treaties that favor the Chinese at the Filipinos expense. Already the Philippine Government is seeking help from the Americans even so far as offering to set up some kind of base again. If the American bases were still there, the Filipinos would be in this situation. So don't be so quick to call the United States names. The Filipinos need the Americans and the Americans need the Filipinos in return. As with any relationship there are good parts and bad. Our countries have much in common. The history is what it is, only a fool looks only for the bad and thus sentences themselves to a future of rancor. Get over it. I am an American that loves the Philippines, its land, culture and people. I live there. And I also love my country and I am proud of her because despite some missteps American is still the greatest force for Good in the world today.
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