The ties that bind US and PH

My late uncle was a USAFFE soldier and World War II veteran. He hiked hundreds of miles in the so-called “Death March.” He later resided in the United States. His children studied and his grandchildren are studying in the United States.

A friend of mine was a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea and worked hand in hand with the United States during the Korean War. Another friend was with Fidel V. Ramos (who later became president of the Philippines) in Philippine Civic Action Group that served as part of a contingency force in the Vietnam War.

My brother is now living in the United States, together with his son who is now part of the US Armed Forces. Many classmates are now professionals (teachers, PhDs, accountants, physicist, nurse, US Navy, pharmacist) working in the United States since the declaration of martial law in the Philippines.

In the year 2015, Filipinos living in the United States remitted $269 billion to our country

In other words, we should consider the ties that bind us Filipinos and Americans. There were some disparities, but generally the treaties and agreements between the United States and the Philippines greatly benefited the Filipino people in terms of military and economic security.

Expletives won’t easily erase Filipino-American friendship. President Duterte might not be a friend to Americans, but Americans are friends to Filipinos.

ISIDRO C. VALENCIA, Makati City