Friendship
Friendship that does not survive challenge and adversity is not friendship. That is why I cannot understand the near panic some people feel about the harsh words President Duterte has unleashed against the United States. If both the United States and the Philippines sincerely regard each other as true friends, then what could be the beginning of a six-year hiccup should not be serious enough to undermine the overall health and strength of that friendship.
To be sure, things can get a little difficult, perhaps confusing. But remember always that politics is ephemeral, never as deep seated as historical, cultural, and personal ties such as the ones that mind the two peoples. What rough edges now mark the relationship are only felt and seen by political leaders. And they should, because that is the arena in which they operate.
Perhaps because the rhetoric had been particularly harsh, some have taken to fearing the loss and deprivation of almost everything imaginable. Some even see dire scenarios of Filipinos being sent home by the millions from America. That is looking at the situation too simplistically, as if it can be reduced into a simple matter of tit for tat.
But as bad as the political noise may be, it is still far less complicated than the folly of sending home millions that help keep the giant American national machine going. It is not a too farfetched proposition to say that America will be endangering its own health if, as the doomsayers say, it will be so foolish as to send every Filipino home in one fell swoop. One can only imagine what will come to a halt and collapse.
Thankfully, that is not about to happen, for the sake of both Filipinos and Americans who do not allow themselves to be caught up in the politics of their leaders. Besides, what is a little spat between friends. If one keeps tabs on the rhetoric that continues to pass between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who are both Americans, the rhetoric of Duterte becomes a lot less surprising.
There are others, too, who fear the sudden loss of American aid in all its forms—military, economic, humanitarian. How little do they truly comprehend the sense for which all of these aid were given. These fearful Filipinos need to understand that all of the aid were given for no other reason than that it is in the best interest of America that they are given.
The Cuban missile crisis, during which Russia placed missiles right at America's underbelly, made then president John F. Kennedy realize that the best way to defend America is to start guarding the enemy right at his own doorstep, not when he is already banging on your door. It is in this sense that America always makes it a point to help strengthen its friends, especially those that make up the first line of its own defense, such as the Philippines.
As to economic aid, it is also in the best interest of America that its friends are in good economic shape. A friend in good economic shape will also be in relatively good political shape. Banana republics are never in America's best interest. They can easily be supplanted by unfriendly governments or, worse, hostile ideologies. It is in America's best interest to keep the Philippines healthy and strong, Duterte's rhetoric notwithstanding.
Finally, humanitarian aid. I do not even know why some people had to put this aspect in the picture, recalling the painful memories of Yolanda as an example. But they forget one thing—the beauty of humanity, of human nature, and the wellspring of goodness that gushes forth from it, sometimes in the form of humanitarian aid. For as long as basic humanity prevails, there will always be humanitarian aid, from friend to friend, stranger to stranger, even enemy to enemy.
- Latest
