Opinion: Colonialism Making a Comeback?
WHOLE COUNTRY A BERTHING FACILITY? US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made a
precedent—setting disclosure recently in his talk in Singapore which is, of
In terms of analysis, this will not only mean the additional deployment of naval and military forces of the US, but would mean that the whole country would now become an American lake, with ships and men because of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), signed by leaders of both countries saying so.
THE INTENT OF MERE PRESENCE THE MAIN ISSUE. Panetta said in his speech in Singapore that from 50 per cent, the total number of US naval assets would be increased to 60 per cent. The figure increase is, in fact, minuscule. Other US naval forces or the 40 per cent would probably be deployed in the European theater or elsewhere.
It is not the additional naval assets which to us would be the main issue here, but the frequent presence and visitations of these assets and their presence. As of now, US ships are due to visit the country, while a top official of the US Naval fleet is right now in the Philippines as of this writing. Military and political analysts have always interpreted the presence of US government officials in political terms, primarily saying we are its ally and on that score its puppet. This is when we have always tried to break off from the US apron strings. It becomes more significant when viewed in the fact that right now, the country is in conflict with China over its jurisdiction on the Scarborough Shoals and the giant People’s Republic of China has become expansionist because it has already become capitalist.
CAPITALIST, THEREFORE, EXPANSIONIST. All big capitalist countries usually develop its armed forces to ensure its control of various countries in the world which further means control of its natural and mineral resources for its industries, as areas for trade and investments, always lopsided in their favor and for use as cannon fodders during wartime and for other purposes. The speech delivered in Singapore becomes more ominous because the presence of US troops of all kinds would become more palpable and while colonization means the presence of visible military and political forces, would mean that neo-colonization of the country would continue, meaning influence and political power would all the more prevail.
When Japan invaded the Philipines during the second world war, it was on account of the US’ presence here. Our country merely became a battleground were so the "ants were crushed underneath two clashing giants." China and Russia, now also capitalists, are allied in the Shanghai Cooperation Agreement. We hope, like ants we will once again not be crushed in between two clashing giants.
Tell you me. But, indeed!*
