The responsibility to defend our country lies not with the country’s armed forces alone. Nor is it solely the job of the head of state or the Office of the President. Neither is nationalism the monopoly of a particular political party or religious group.
The true strength of a nation to defend itself mainly emanates from or evolves through a people asserting their identity, and protecting their sovereign and territorial rights.
In the midst of the recent, fast-changing political and military developments and alignments in Asia and the Pacific, it is imperative on the part of the Filipino people to arm themselves with a strong, fervent and unwavering nationalist commitment as they pursue an independent foreign policy.
Our nation cannot attain a strong defense capability without a strong sense of nationalism. It is only by adhering to the true spirit of nationalism can our people be organized and mobilized to effectively defend the 7,641 islands and islets without being totally dependent on foreign support.
National defense and nationalism must go hand-in-hand. To make this happen, we must cast away our colonial mentality. We must be self-reliant, be it in the political, economic, or military sphere. We cannot show or express our real strength or power if we are continuously dependent as a people and as a nation and if we allow ourselves to be under the control and manipulation of superpowers.
It is only with a strong nationalist commitment that we can build strong our capability to defend our nation. Nationalism is a great motive and potent force; it is also a powerful stimulant, an adrenaline, so to speak, that can catapult our country and our people to new heights of real achievements, progress and development. The power of a strong nationalist commitment we can see in the great historical experiences of the Asian peoples’ struggles for freedom, independence and progress.
This is a wake-up call to our present leaders, as well as to our people—Christians, Muslims, national minorities and all sectors, regardless of belief or ideology—who want to keep this nation intact: Let us come together, unite and march forward, with a firm nationalist commitment, toward a truly democratic and peaceful society.
We must support the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and National Democratic Front. And the present political leaders must recognize and welcome the role of the local communists in our national defense. The local communists are basically nationalists whose sacrifices and dedication to serve this nation and people are beyond question. We must appreciate people like UP professor Jay Batungbacal who has a clear, independent and firm nationalist outlook on the South China Sea and Benham Rise issues.
If we are driven by a strong sense of nationalism, no power-hungry, nuclear bully can defeat us.
REV. FR. ANTONIO Q. TAYCO,
Iglesia Filipina Independiente