Philippines "Independence" Day What are we Celebrating?

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"To the victor belong the spoils" The Philippines was ruled for over 300 years by Spain until an uprising was about to topple their rule. Then a new emerging world power, the US purchase the country for 20 million pesos when Spain lost the US-Spanish war (Cuba and the Philippines were ceded to the US). To save face the Spanish governor-general in the Philippines and US admiral Dewey stage the mock "Battle of Manila bay" where each side fired a couple of cannon balls over their opponent's ships in what could better be describe as an "acoustic" encounter. The Filipinos were led to believe the US came to aid them in their fight for freedom but were actually used as cannon fodder. Feeling betrayed they fought back in the US-Philippine war which superior fire power and brutal tactics like hamleting, scorch earth, and water boarding won against antiquated muskets, bolos and bamboo spears. The US ruled for 50 years. It was a more benign rule compare to Spain. Free education for the masses, improve public works, better government service and the American way of life. WW-II came and 3 years of Japanese occupation before they surrender to General Douglas "I shall return" MacArthur. He was then ordered to go to Japan to help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of that former US enemy. Meanwhile their Philippine ally who fought and died side by side with American soldiers had to beg the US Congress for aid and reparation to rebuild their own war-torn country while waiting for the promised granting of Philippine independence. Finally the big day came! There was a lot of fanfare as the Philippine flag was raise while the US flag was lowered. (The date was 4th of July before our former president Macapagal move it to June 12, the day the Philippine revolutionary government declared our independence from Spain before the US meddling in Philippine affairs) But not without strings attached. Before being granted our "independence", the Philippine Commonwealth government had to accept the unequal terms of the "Bell Trade Act" passed by the US Congress. This bill was eventually ratified by the Philippine Congress because the US Congress threaten to withhold post-World War II rebuilding funds for the Philippines. This agreement gave the US: Dozens of military facilities including 2 huge bases that were use to project American power in the Asia-Pacific region (These bases were use in the Vietnam war) American citizens and corporation were granted the same rights as Filipinos to access and exploit Philippine natural resources. Since the negotiation was done between the country's oligarch,(when Spain ceded the country to the US, they simply switch loyalty to their new colonial master) each party to the "independence" deal got what they wanted. The US maintain their military presence in the Philippines and big American corporation had an unfair advantage in doing business here. The Philippine elite maintain their monopoly in business and politics. And what about the ordinary Filipino? We get to vote every couple of years. Pick which rich and powerful prick gets to call themselves "public servants" while amassing more wealth through graft and corruption in "public" office. (Now you know why President Duterte who came from the masses appeal to the ordinary Filipino) So Happy Philippines "Independence" Day. Photo Image: Wikimedia Commons (National Monument of Andres Bonifacio)