Roxas, Kyle Miguel E.

AB Foreign Service & FS301

International Political Economy
Jumel G. Estrañero
March 5, 2018

The love-hate relationship for colonizers

The relationship between these countries is built from camaraderie. History itself bore
witness to what great things this connection has brought to both governing bodies. What has
been described as a special relationship, one that has evolved from being a colonizer and
colonized to being confederates is now ceasing to exist. Yet as we look back it has never been
challenged – the relationship, it has been the part of life for both races to coexist and
acknowledge the unity between them. Even after learning that these Americans once treated us
as slaves before becoming our teachers, adapting us to religion and education, we accepted them
and adored them for helping us against the colonizers before them. It has never been hard to
understand that we lay below them in power, number, and economic influence making us garner
their innovations, and adorn their science breakthroughs. This was never hard because we know
we owe a lot to them, we cannot deny the need for assistance to salvage our growing economy.
Nevertheless we must keep in mind that change is the only permanent thing in the world. Thus
the coming of the end of this partnership, because on October 20, 2016, the President of the
Philippines announced a "separation" from the United States, both militarily and economically,
in favor of alliances with China and Russia.

Even after past Presidents’ efforts with the bilateral relationship it has not yet to stop his
advances to a more independent state. Former President Arroyo repeatedly stressed the close
friendship between the Philippines and the U.S. and her desire to expand bilateral ties further,
receiving the support of counterpart President Bush to the Global War on Terrorism. In April
2014, a ten-year pact (EDCA – Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement) was signed
between the U.S. President, Barack Obama and the Philippine President, Benigno Aquino III,
allowing United States to increase military presence in the Philippines. The Joint US Military
Assistance Group handed over weapons to the Philippine Marine Corps. these equipments were
formally accepted by PMC commandant Major General Emmanuel Salamat after the delivery
during a transfer ceremony on 5 June amidst the Marawi Crisis moving Manila much closer to
the United States, due to China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Though there
were attempts later on by the Aquino administration to repair ties with China, but because of the
filing of a South China Sea case it had so poisoned the relationship that few in Beijing saw good
prospects for better Sino-Philippine ties until a new president took office.

So what has really been the key factor to this sudden change of comrades? It all started
when Former President Obama expressed his concern over the human right issues cascading the
current Philippine administration. Thus President Duterte’s comeback calling him “son of a
whore” that resulted to the cancellation of meetings between the two leaders, he said his anger
was also tied to a series of incidents since taking office, including misinterpretations of his
insults, criticism of his actions as president, as well as perceived threats to cut assistance. These
factors only strengthened his belief that Beijing is the better partner for Manila rather than
Washington. A few weeks later President Duterte suggested that the American special forces to
cease its operations and leave Mindanao.

As of October 2016, despite Duterte's shift of foreign policy to China from US, Filipinos still had
low approval and trust rate in China compared to the US which continued to hold high trust and
approval ratings. Duterte later said after the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election that he will stop
quarrels with the US, following President-elect Donald Trump's victory paving way to the
reconciliation of both nations. Considering that remittances are vital to
the Philippine economy, accounting for approximately 9.8% of GDP in 2015. They are an
important source of income for many Filipino families. The United States has long permitted
Filipinos to work in the U.S. as teachers and nurses. About 3.4 million do so. One of the main
sources of Philippine remittances comes from, of course, the U.S. Business process
outsourcing (BPO) is also very important to the Philippines economy, something U.S. firms have
invested heavily in the Philippines. According to CNBC, it accounts for roughly 6 percent of
GDP. The U.S. economic impact would most likely be minimal, in the short term, in comparison
to the effect on the Philippines. The changes to access to resources, tax credits and preferential
custom tariffs on U.S. controlled industries could be harmful.

A realignment of ties with China is a insult to the U.S., as Washington had established the
Philippines as their pillar of foreign policy ambitions to acquire a firm position in the Pacific
Century. The Duterte administration has yet to officially send a notification of termination of
relations to Washington, which signals to some that it could be nothing more than a PR stunt in
an attempt to make new friends meaning that it is only for show, because as an effect of this
“separation” China has invested approximately 590 million pesos towards the rehabilitation and
betterment of the Philippines. With this, President Rodrigo Duterte still ensures that he balances
his relationship with mentioned countries, because after this investment and upgrade of
connection with China, he came back and renewed a more understanding and respecting
relationship with the U.S.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines%E2%80%93United_States_relations
https://www.focus-economics.com/blog/philippines-break-up-with-america-economic-impact
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/us-philippines/4057554.html
https://thediplomat.com/2016/01/us-philippines-boost-ties-in-ministerial-meeting/

The Asian connection

This relationship has been considered “Asia’s Most Toxic Relationship” due to the fact
that even though they strive to outwit each other they still continue to acclaim a healthy
interconnection for other countries to witness. I also believe this relationship is toxic but it is
utmost necessary for the Philippines because it is in a dilemma. Fortunately as we look into
recent events, we are in a considerable good spot right now because of President Duterte, we are
receiving investments from China to rehabilitate Marawi, whilst still having our age-old
connection with USA. Having the odds in our favor, China’s predominant principle is
Confucianism always for amicable and ethical resolutions than raging an all out war, although
they seem to radiate a more dominant side of them, peering into something our country is not
ready for if ever our President “idiotically” chooses to wage war against them. It is also with
sympathy to admit that the loss of our complete reign over the disputed territory is due to the fact
that we have failed to establish a formidable society and order within our government. Whilst we
were confronting corruption cases against our own governing officials other countries were
expanding their territories and garnering adequate resources for their own. Thus other non-
claimants became increasingly vocal about their concern regarding the rising maritime dispute
which led to their security ties with the United States.

The Philippines is the first country to take China to court over these maritime disputes
which clearly defined the overall texture of their relationship. It was not a battle of lawyers, but
astute strategists. Luckily we have who I consider the most lionhearted president in the history of
the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte. He salvaged what’s left of our reputation. He opted to
becoming allies with the Chinese governing body than facing them head-on knowing it will be
an absolute loss for the Philippines, it also opened better economic opportunities for us,
politically too. It established the joint forces of China and PH in exploration of the Scarborough
Shoal. With what happened here it is high time for the Philippines to focus on fortifying its
position on the ground, enhancing its own defensive prowess, and recalibrate its national security
strategy towards a more concrete and tangible way of defending its territorial integrity. President
Duterte renewed the Philippines’ commitment to pursue stronger relations with China and noted
the steady deepening of the bilateral ties since he assumed office in 2016. The Chinese leaders,
on the other hand, responded positively to their counterpart desiring more cooperation between
the Philippines and China and expressed their willingness to support the Philippines’ various
socio-economic and security programs, including the campaigns against illicit drugs, terrorism,
poverty, and others.