NEW YORK CITY — A former US intelligence official bluntly told me that “there is absolutely no way the United States will ever abandon its commitment to the Philippines.” First of all, my American friend said, it is in America’s interest that the Philippines play a central role in Asia against terrorism. Despite the demise of Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda continues to be a threat since affiliates like the Jemaah Islamiyah still operate in Southeast Asia, in particular the Philippines — dubbed a decade ago by the US as the “second front” in the war against terror. Mindanao — the so-called “backdoor” — has been acknowledged as a training ground for terrorists and militants, so that it continues to be absolutely important that RP-US Balikatan exercises be held almost always in the region. USAID has also implemented over 1,400 infrastructure projects in Mindanao, with focus given on “conflict-affected” areas.
Secondly, it is clear that there is that special bond between the US and the Philippines in almost all aspects of their relationship which goes back to the time of President Manuel L. Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur. That probably helps explain why regardless of who occupies the White House, the US has maintained strong relations with the Philippines. Over the years, the Filipino population in America has grown to about five million (including the undocumented) — making them the second biggest Asian group according to the latest US Census Bureau report. The report shows that Filipino-American organizations now have political clout in Washington since their numbers can be parlayed into a significant force especially with State Representatives that are largely elected by Filipino-Americans.
P-Noy is very smart to have appointed Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario who is doing an excellent job as our country’s chief diplomat. His previous appointment as Ambassador to Washington has made him very adept at navigating the corridors of Washington — and this comes in very handy especially at this time when the Philippines is embroiled in a tricky situation with China over Scarborough Shoal. Secretary Del Rosario has made it clear the Philippines is committed to the US and expects reciprocity especially with respect to the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“You can be sure that if ever the Philippines comes under threat of an attack by China or other countries, the US will uphold its commitment,” the former intelligence official said, echoing US State Secretary Hillary Clinton’s statement reaffirming US “commitment and obligations” under the MDT during the “Two Plus Two” meeting in Washington three weeks ago between Clinton, Del Rosario, US Defense Chief Leon Panetta and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
One “good” thing that has come out of the standoff with China is the certainty that the Philippines is being closely monitored by Washington radar screens — with more “visiting forces” in Mindanao and US vessels now being clandestinely deployed, ostensibly for “repairs and supplies replenishment” like the USS North Carolina — one of the stealthiest and most advanced submarines — that docked at Subic a few days ago. The situation has also placed a sense of urgency on the need to fast track the modernization of the AFP to build a “minimum credible defense posture” that can be achieved primarily with assistance from the US.
No less than the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, has admitted the shift in demographic, geopolitical, economic and military attention towards the Asia-Pacific region now that Washington is disengaging from the Middle East. Even the UN points to Asia-Pacific as an “anchor of stability for the world economy.” Indeed, more countries are looking to China as an economic partner yet ironically, they are increasingly relying on the US for security, expecting it to be the “regional balancer” without necessarily resorting to military force, according to former US National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski.
Despite the saber rattling and angry rhetoric from China, expressing irritation over perceived US interference on “strictly” Asian affairs and accusing America of fomenting a “cold war” mentality (due to increased and permanent US military presence in Australia), China knows it holds over $1.169 trillion in US debt, making it America’s largest debtor. So when I asked the intelligence official if Americans were afraid to engage the Chinese in a confrontation because of the debt, he retorted, “Precisely, we owe them a lot of money so it will be in their interest to maintain stable relations with us - otherwise, who knows? They may never see that money again,” he pointed out.
Recent developments involving the two giants reinforce this observation. Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie visited the US last week (the first after nine years) where consensus was reached to further military ties, strengthen communications and steer the relationship toward stability, mutual trust and cooperation. Another indicator is Chen Guangcheng — the blind Chinese activist who escaped house arrest and sought refuge with the US Embassy in Beijing — with China finally agreeing to issue him a passport to leave for the US.
Nevertheless, it is clear that the Obama adminis-tration’s renewed attention to Asia through enhanced multilateral partnerships with Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Japan, South Korea and of course, the Philippines, is meant to check China’s rising influence and maintain regional stability.
“The Washington trip of your president (Aquino) this coming June should be a clear signal to the Chinese,” reiterated the former intelligence official, who has spent a long time in Asia and most definitely knows what he is talking about. When all is said and done, “the US will never abandon the Philippines — because it is clearly not in our interest to do otherwise,” he firmly concluded.
* * *
E-mail: babeseyeview@yahoo.com