IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?

Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is another intermediate compact between the United States and the Philippines with the purpose of improving the interoperability of both countries’ security forces and authorizing access to the foreign blood in using our territory and that they may commence different types of activities in the agreed locations with regard to its right of entry.

Given the above premises, is EDCA an indispensable need of our country?

Our forefathers and respected heroes had defended our country for decades to fight for our rights in this terrestrial and to achieve freedom that the US is continuously invading from then up to this age. We can secure our own land. Now that we are not that far behind the modern pace and advancements, I think we are more capable of setting up ample defense against viable threats.

There is nothing wrong with EDCA, the way the authors have fabricated it, it is impeccably correct. The words spell out strengthening security, this is what they desire. I salute them for their commitment to us but I hope this is not a facade. From the past years, it had been the promise of the Americans, being a friend to us Filipinos, to provide protection and promote peace. We are not slaves, we are just followers of the American dream. This is an independent country with no actual individuality. We are not lame but we seek assistance from the foreign forces to stand outright and defend our native abode.

For me, as a student and as a citizen of this country, I disagree. I do not have the locus standi but I strongly believe that this makes us more susceptible of being dominated by the US supremacy. I dissent due to the notion that this may give way to the possibility that they are gradually conquering us through benevolent assimilation and glorified camaraderie. I believe that we can combat external danger, as a country and that we do not need the helping hand of the Americans. If they can, can’t we? What this country needs is to love our own, to build our own. I think the government must focus more on training Filipinos, enhancing the skills and providing the wisdom that will be useful in safeguarding our land. Instead of giving the US forces the privilege in using our territory, let it be our own training ground. This is not being egocentric but this is about making use of and taking advantage of what we have to accelerate progress. Impose in our hearts and minds that Filipinos are still and will always be worth dying for. Let us uphold our nationalism and not let the modern colonization be in. Let us fill in what is lacking by providing it with our own not by relying from others. The Americans have guided and helped us for so long, maybe its about time for us to stand on our foot. It does not mean that we ought to wholly forsake them but let us impose upon ourselves the commitment to protect our country using our own arm. When I was in my secondary school, I was taught that there is no superior or inferior country. That’s the dogma, perhaps, far different from the reality.

If we are not yet ready for the real independence, if not now, then when?