By Atty. Rafael Tuvera

The Philippines has suffered far too long under the grip of a political elite and well-entrenched oligarchs whose power is fortified by the United States of America. This condition is not unique to our country. Internationally, particularly in Africa, peoples who have endured similar exploitation have risen up and chose to take the path to liberation, and live their own lives.

Burkina Faso stands as a shining example. In the said nation, a sweeping change was achieved under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traore, a military officer who dared go against the French-backed leadership and domestic oligarchy. In Burkina Faso and other African states, recent revolutions were not led by traditional politicians but by active men in military uniform. These officers took dangerous risks in pursuit of national independence and economic freedom.

The Philippines, however, finds itself in a different position. The U.S. has maintained a suffocating stranglehold on the armed forces of the country. The AFP hierarchy has been deeply indoctrinated by the U.S. that no officer will dare challenge the present administration unless the U.S itself gives the green light. This control ensures that no Filipino officer will ever rise as a true revolutionary in the mold of Traore, unless Washington desires a regime change in our country. This indoctrination is developed through joint military exercises like the Balikatan, and other American-sponsored training programs and scholarships for officers in U.S military institutions. These programs ensure not only dependence, but also ideological alignment. The result is that we have military officers who have been conditioned to view Washington as its patron, rather than the Filipino people. For this reason, the people cannot and should not expect anything from the military in the struggle for genuine change.

Our own history bears witness to this fact. The ouster of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. in 1986 was not a spontaneous victory of the people alone, but one sanctioned by America once it deemed that the elder Marcos was no longer useful to its geopolitical interests. Similarly, the downfall of Joseph Estrada in 2001 bore the fingerprints of Uncle Sam. These events show that the Philippine military will only act against a sitting president when authorized by its foreign patron.

Today, the need for a revolution has become more urgent. The suffering of the people has gone too far. Compounding the suffering is the present scandal involving billions, if not trillions, lost to anomalous flood control projects, a scandal that directly implicates lawmakers themselves. When those entrusted to legislate and manage public funds are the very ones who plunder them, reform from within the system becomes impossible. Only a sweeping, revolutionary change can demolish this vicious cycle.

The situation also illustrates how deep the U.S has penetrated our military and defense leadership. Take the case of Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard. This officer has styled himself as a bullhorn for Washington’s policy in the “West Philippine Sea”. Likewise, General Romeo Brawner, AFP Chief of Staff, and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, have openly aligned themselves with America’s strategic interests. Also, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, has lately been raising alarm bells about alleged Chinese plans to convert Bajo de Masinloc into a marine reserve, a narrative that parrots Washington’s agenda rather than advancing an authentic security strategy through diplomatic means. These public officials have presented themselves as dependable partners of the Pentagon rather than as independent guardians of Philippine sovereignty. These four men have prioritized foreign interests over patriotic duty.

At present, The Marcos, Jr. administration enjoys the full support and backing of Uncle Sam. This fact diminishes any real possibility of a Burkina Faso-type revolution from becoming a reality. For as long as the Philippine military remains bound to U.S interests, a truly independent uprising will remain a pipe dream. The people cannot and should not expect deliverance from a military institution that has long been conditioned to serve foreign masters.

The country craves for liberation, but from all indications, our fate will not be shaped until we sever the chains that bind us to U.S. control and domination. Only until then will a true revolution become a reality.

 

Email: contact@asiancenturyph.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asiancenturyph/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AsianCenturyPH

Substack:

Also read: