The problem with Filipino nationalists, including Inquirer columnist John Nery (“Will the US defend ‘a few rocks’ in our sea?” Opinion, 5/6/14), is, they think America should just passively assume the role of a babysitter for the Philippines with no bargaining power whatsoever for its own welfare. Which is why nothing in the terms of the current Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the United States and the Philippines will ever satisfy these people. Nitpickers will always find a reason to complain or, more appropriately, bitch about anything!
Some critics even suggest that the MDT could jeopardize our country’s very own sovereignty. Really? Sounds very much like the same tune diehard nationalists were singing before the American forces were kicked out of our country some years ago. The funny thing is, after the Americans left for good and there was “no longer a threat” to our sovereignty, we didn’t even know what to do with it! Instead, all hell broke loose and it’s all been hell since.
Come to think of it, that is probably what President Manuel L. Quezon had in mind when he said: “I would rather have a government run like hell by Filipinos than one run like heaven by Americans.” Which is why up to now we still can’t figure out what to do with our sovereignty except to corrupt, abuse and rape it!
—JUANITO T. FUERTE,
jtfuerte@comcast.net