It is so disappointing to know what some party-list lawmakers like Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate are saying on the issue of our allies being allowed greater access to Subic and Clark (“Militant solons fear ‘unli’ access to PH bases,” News, Inquirer, 6/29/13).
These two lawmakers want the Philippines to cut our ties with our allies like the United States and Japan, adding that giving them access to Philippine bases would mean the betrayal of the Filipino nation.
They are blind to the fact that without our allies, China, which is pressing its claims to our territory, could easily “devour” us. Years back, some senators could not imagine that without US military bases in the Philippines, other countries could easily invade and occupy parts of our country, especially because we lack firepower. Those senators voted against renewing the Philippines-United States Bases Agreement.
Colmenares and Zarate are false nationalists but they project themselves as true patriots, which they obviously are not. We suggest that these lawmakers concentrate instead on their work and help their constituents, and the nation as a whole, by espousing bills and laws that will benefit the people. Their statements only make matters worse and confusing. They should accept that without help from our allies, our country faces the threat of foreign invasion, which is precisely what China is now posing on us now.
—LORNA G. PEREZA,
pereze_lorna21@
yahoo.com