Saturday, April 24, 2010

Who Will be the Puppet Master's Pet?

Who Will be the Puppet Master's Pet?
by Erick San Juan






As we neared the much awaited May 10 elections, it is expected that a lot of candidates from the highest to the lowest position are changing colors. From the administration party to the so-called opposition parties (where every party wanted to be an opposition), candidates are trying to be identified with the “best color” in this multi-party system that we adopted for quite some time now. On the other hand, the voting populace is much aware now especially in the metropolis, that they were double crossed by sweet talking politicians for so many times. As survey after survey from different groups, should have been a good reference on whom to vote, added to their confusion. Also, the tri-media meaning the different radio and television networks,newspapers and tabloids are conducting various mode of programs focusing on the candidates personal and public life, discussing their platform of governance became part of the brain washing machines using the principle of Ponerology.



As an observer on the country’s ongoing battle in the political circus, I can say that there is no candidate that could come close to what Venezuelan leader and recently our neighbor, the Japanese did – to take the real pro-Filipino stand. Whether we like it or not, we are perceived as the most dependable ally of the US in this part of the globe. Sadly, some presidentiables still kowtow to this colonial master and even bragged that he is the "chosen one". What could be the effect of being an “amboy” as leaked by these naive candidates can only be seen after the elections.Some of them said, that there is no substantial resources that are being channeled to them. Of course, the powers behind the scene always make sure that whoever rule this country will follow their policy. They always play angel and demon. They don't put their eggs in one basket,. caring only for what is good for them. Setting aside the fact that the Filipinos voted for someone who they thought will protect our national interests.



After all these years, as a loyal ally, what good (if any) do we get from adhering to foreign policies that always leave us at the losing end? Take for example the situation in Mindanao, its quite unusual that the terror myth seems to crop-up when needed. In spite of US forces are in Mindanao for almost a decade now, peace and instability seems to be nowhere in sight. We hope that its peacekeeping and "balikatan" exercises are not part of a pretext to justify covert operations. We can’t help but ask, if the recent MILF mischief in Lanao was part of it? Lest we forget that trust begets trust. The so called Magi-bearing gifts prop is already a burn out script. What Filipinos want is a two-way traffic and be given what is due us – no more, no less. So, if our overstaying “ally” can’t help us (as what they promised), they better get out of our territory because they don’t have any business staying here. This is a firm stand that any Filipino who is running for the highest office in the land must keep in mind. We are tired of being shortchanged and always at the losing end. We are always taken for a ride as they rape and loot our natural resources. In Palawan, former President Ferdinand Marcos had a plan to develop its oil and natural gas for the betterment of the country. What happened then was a disaster. The next administration gave it to a couple of foreign investors (and got their handsome commission) and left us not even a trickle of what is known to be one of the nation’s biggest source of natural gas.



We must all learn from history and always be at the lookout for a possible foreign lapdog that will sell this country and the generations to come. Be vigilant and vote for pro-Filipino leaders that will make this country far better than what we had in the recent past.Again, GOD-gold,oil and deutherium is in RP. Let foreign investors come in. We have to be transparent and have a fair share for the benefit of our people.. NEVER let what Cory Aquino did to Malampaya happen again even if Noynoy Aquino wins. God bless the Philippines!!!

Monday, April 19, 2010

For Whom Is the Summit

For Whom Is the Summit
By Erick San Juan

Nations around the world (forty-seven of them) attended the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC last April 12 and 13 that focused on how to better safeguard weapons-grade plutonium and uranium to prevent nuclear terrorism.
"Terrorist networks such as al-Qaida have tried to acquire the material for a nuclear weapon, and if they ever succeeded, they would surely use it. Were they to do so, it would be a catastrophe for the world, causing extraordinary loss of life and striking a major blow to global peace and stability." US President Barack Obama said at the opening session of the summit at the Washington Convention Center.
Again, we can see here how the Obama administration is so obsessed with the so called al-Qaida terror group that went as far as dragging other countries to prevent a perceived “enemy” from causing a nuclear attack. I wrote several times about this “outside enemy” exposed by several experts as a creation of the CIA – the al-Qaida group and its network of terrorists. Such creature is being used conveniently if needed especially the never-ending global war on terror (GWOT). A myth that was drawn out from the ashes of September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then the threat of another terror attack has come in handy from the handler’s perceived need to create tension and fear amongst us.
According to Michel Chossudovsky, “As far as it goes, in the present context, the US is the most dangerous threat to global security and what this conference aims at achieving is to diffuse this understanding. It’s a PR campaign which seeks to present the nuclear threat in some distorted way, so that people who listen to the media report will believe that Al-Qaeda, Bin Laden and global terrorism is the issue, rather than the strategic objectives of the US which include now the preemptive use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.”
Also this summit heightened what was identified before by former US president George W. Bush, Jr. as the “rogue states” being the threat to the United States homeland security particularly, Iran and North Korea (both not invited in the summit). This has nothing to do with a dead (resurrected) Osama bin Laden and his CIA-backed terror group, this is about the real threat of nuclear war directed against Iran by the United States and Israel. Let us all be realistic here, the fact that President Obama threatened Iran of an imminent nuclear attack and still using the “all options are on the table” approach (like his predecessor used to say), we are all in for a mutually assured destruction.
Sadly, countries like the Philippines is again being taken for a ride here and possibly be part of a war that we never wanted in the first place, all in the pretext for world peace. Or, is it only for the benefit of our “friendly ally” and his police dog stationed in the Middle East? For whom is this summit anyway?

Saturday, April 10, 2010

What AID?

What AID?
By Erick San Juan


The US Agency for International Development (USAID) last week announced a $30-million "reconciliation program" for the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. The provinces are wracked by Muslim separatist insurgency, pretty much like our southern Mindanao. This part of the article written by our friend, Amb. Rey Arcilla for Malaya last April 6 caught my attention and lead me to evaluate our nation’s status when it comes to receiving that so-called “funds” or “aid” from our “friend” through the USAID.

Actually that $30-million "reconciliation program" in Thailand is a 5-year program to help strengthen democracy and promote conflict resolution, including the country's restive south. And that half of the total of $30 million, about $15.5 will be spent directly on grants for civil organizations promoting reconciliation or looking to serving as checks and balances for political process and public policy. Although some reports said that "Thailand Citizen Engagement Program" funded by the agency was allegedly created in response to Thailand’s recent political instability which was immediately denied by USAID mission director in Asia - Olivier Carduner.

Sounds familiar?

In the Philippines, the Unites States Government is the biggest grant donor, with nearly $9.5 Billion in foreign assistance since 1946. Of this amount, about $4.4 Billion is USAID and predecessor programs' assistance. In FY 2009, $96.04 Million was made available for our bilateral assistance programs and as grants to non-government organizations. (USAID Philippines website) Almost a year ago, I wrote about this US aid granted to us which is for me was and still is such a big joke. Why? Did we benefit from this grant? Like what Amb.Rey Arcilla said that all those infrastructure projects in the south were more for US military troops convenience than to our people’s.

Bilateral agreements must be corrected once and for all especially in the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement and other Military/Defense Treaty which were perceived by Filipino thinkers and nationalists as one sided propositions. If we were given $9.5 Billion in foreign assistance since 1946, why do our soldiers still complaining? Why do we have an armed forces branded here and abroad as an army with rebuilt weaponry, a navy with 2nd world war ships and an air force full of air and no power with widow maker planes? Sad realities in the midst of millions of dollars that were granted to us through bilateral agreements. For sixty-four long years we were treated as mendicants, our natural resources exploited, our soldiers and lands used for military exercises only to be left behind with nothing! We never had those so-called state of the art weaponry and hi-tech military gadgets, but why do we allow such treatment up to this day?
Until we learn our lessons in dealing with foreign “friends” we will always be at the losing end.
U.S. President Barack Obama appointed our president as coordinator in this region and a staunch ally on the global war on terror (myth). With the “perpetual war” in the south tagged as training ground for the notorious terrorist group (brand named) al-Qaeda, we should demand a just treatment here and be given what is due us based on their nicely written reports and press releases in order for “Washington” to level the playing field with the Filipinos.

We should not even blame the foreign governments who usually protect their 'interests' well. But let us not create another batch of mendicants who will kowtow to a perceived master. What we need now is a leadership with strong backbone and the will to say no when the nation’s survival is at stake. Let us scrutinize well these politicians running and their platform of government. Don’t get fooled by motherhood statements, expose's and empty promises. After this country experienced many collaborators in the government in the past, we should know better this time and vote wisely. Please don't repeat our bad side of history!