[Opinion] At What Cost?

As a nation endowed both with a valuable strategic location and abundant natural resources, we are no stranger to times where powerful nations covet intervention over our affairs. Obviously at present, it is China, with its might and affluence, which has been rapidly positioning itself in gaining control over our region, among others, attempting to overpower the United States. This eventually led us to be more accommodating to their economic interests in the hopes of gaining in return. Lest we forget, the purported generosity of China, as shown by its multibillion-dollar loans to developing countries like ours, are all part of its effort in further extending globally its political and economic clout.

…one day we might realize that we are already held on a string, powerless to choose our own way, incapable of standing on our own feet.

In the recent turn of events, an apparent irony arose: while hundreds of thousands of Filipinos continue to seek employment abroad, the Chinese come in droves to work in our homeland, some of them, illegally. And the crassness of several Chinese mainlanders cannot help but draw our ire. But to despise them simply because of their race would make us no different to those who deride our overseas workers out of xenophobia. The fact persists that several of them too are mere victims of inequities in their country. However, the corresponding influx of Chinese wealth in our country alters much the dynamics of relations between our people and theirs.

The so-called ‘cordial’ relations of our country with China remains, despite being riddled with controversies. Our iconic hospitability has again given way to another era. An era of opportunity for business with the growing imperial power. With our adaptivity, this age can be a gold mine for progress—for some. “Progress” at what cost? Our freedom?

Perhaps our leaders are left with no choice but to collaborate with this oriental goliath who can be generous and coercive at the same time. In the national effort towards progress, tangible results are crucial in creating the impression of development to the public. And the Chinese yuan facilitates more the materialization of such plans for development—no wonder the deep-pocketed Chinese are warmly welcomed by our bureaucrats. Nevertheless, George Washington’s warning remains true and applicable to this day that “it is folly for a nation to expect disinterested favors from another, because all that nation receives as a favor is sooner or later repaid with part of its independence.”

Solely trusting our leaders will not spare us from foreign domination as history is replete with instances of Filipinos forsaking Filipinos for the sake of power and wealth under the auspices of a foreign power. Yet to be defeatist in this struggle against being a victim of Chinese expansionism is tantamount to being complicit with the subservience our people will face under a budding colonizer. We should remember that, in the words of statesman Claro M. Recto, “our emancipation will be exclusively our work, as will be the maintenance of our independence when we shall obtain it.” And to be truly free, we must learn to rely on ourselves and not to any other nation.

With rose-tinted glasses, the Philippines may waltz with China, awed with its power and promise of prosperity. But then one day we might realize that we are already held on a string, powerless to choose our own way, incapable of standing on our own feet. For we have long been lured to the promise that genuine progress can be achieved by compromising our sovereignty–an all too believable lie. ■

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