(We yield this space to the statement of progressive youth group Anakbayan due to its timeliness. – Ed.)
ON June 12th 1898, 125 years ago, Emilio Aguinaldo ratified the declaration of Independence from Spanish colonization. For the first time, our people raised our flag, held their right hands to their chest and proudly chanted our national anthem with optimism and joy.
Yet that independence would prove to be short-lived as the Americans came to our shores and decided it was their turn to conquer and plunder. Now, it is not only the United States, but also China that is vying for the cheap labor and resources of the Philippines.
We must ask ourselves – why do we celebrate Independence Day? We strongly question our yearly celebration for even to this day, long after the occupation of three different foreign powers, the Philippines remains firmly leashed to American and Chinese imperialist whims. While Marcos, Duterte and their cohorts prance about in Malacañang, popping Champagne bottles for guests, the people of our country suffer.
The stagnant wages amidst rising costs, the continued harassment of our farmers, the undemocratic silencing of activists, and the unbridled expansion and exploitation of big business just go to show that our country is far from achieving the independence we so decadently celebrate every year. The US and China’s power struggle for dominance in the region, which will possibly culminate in an all-out war, will leave Filipinos with death and destruction.
It is our duty as Filipino citizens to recognize that following the national democratic path is the only path to true independence and liberation for our people. The conditions for change in the country are here and the laboring masses cry out for its realization.
Unless we dismantle the old neo-colonial and semi-feudal systems and set about the organization of a system that brings in a program of true freedom and democracy, with its land reform, industrialization, and wholesale progress, our colonizers will still rule us through their compradors; through their landlords, through their financiers, and through their whole array of commercial institutions. We commemorate June 12th as the day our heroes and martyrs fought in the name of freedom for our country. We, Filipino people, will rise up once again to take back what is ours.
