Obama's 'strategic interests' call to SE

Asia's notoriously corrupt leader

by Jesusa Bernardo
First published at Newsvine, Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:37 PM EDT

It's all over the news. Proudly propagated

by the PR, nay, propaganda, machinery of
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo. United States President Barack H.
Obama called Arroyo last March 14, 2009
to discuss the critical importance of the
two countries' "bilateral relationship and...
strategic interests," specifically the
Visiting Forces Agreement that spells a
mutual defense understanding. The call
has long been sought after by
Malacanang. Finally, after dodging her
huge efforts to speak or meet with and use
him for political photo-op her not once,
not twice, but thrice, Obama decided to end the hide-and-seek game he played with Arroyo, the
leader perceived to be the "Most Corrupt Philippine President" in history.

Obama is the 44th US President who campaigned on a mantra of "Hope, Change." He had
successfully bested Hillary Clinton, the first viable female president in American history for the
Democratic presidential nomination. He then went on to soundly defeat his Republican opponent
for the presidency, John McCain, in the November 2008 polls.

In his inauguration speech, Obama indicated

a foreign policy seemingly inimical to those
leaders "who cling to power through
corruption and deceit and the silencing of
dissent ...on the wrong side of history." His
counterpart, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was
sworn in as the 14th Philippine President at
about the same time as his predecessor
George W. Bush. Arroyo took office
following the paraconstitutional change of
power afforded by the EDSA II "People
Power" of 2001, which was described by
international media and analysts as the
"opportunist coalition of church, business
elite and left,"' and as "mob rule or mob rule as a cover for a well-planned coup."
 From practically Day 1 of
Arroyo's administration, she has
been besieged by an almost
endless litany of illegitimacy and
corruption issues. Scandals after
scandals have hounded her. To
name just some: the IMPSA
power plant deal; "Hello Garci?"
wiretapping expose of cheating in
the 2004 presidential polls;
bribery of congressmen and
governors at Malacanang; the
Bolante fertilizer scam; the kangaroo court "guilty" verdict on the Estrada plunder case; and the
abrogated NBN-ZTE deal. The latest, divulged only in January this year, is the collusion between
roads project contractor and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, alleged in a report made by no less
than the World Bank.

No wonder that in October 2007, surveyed Filipinos expressed their perception that Arroyo is the
"Most Corrupt President in Philippine History." Malacanang's current occupant has faced a
number of unsuccessful challenges, including four successive impeachment complaints, two or
three military mutinies, and a rectifying "People Power" exercise, EDSA 3, which sought to
restore the presidency of the deposed but democratically elected Joseph Estrada early on in her
term. Only in February, 2009, ten military groups of retired and active servicemen paid an
advertisement declaring their support behind a brigadier general on court martial trial for the
February 2006 uprising.

Jetset Stalking of Obama

Arroyo had gone on an aggressive seeking of the

opportunity to meet up and try forging close relations
with (translation 2: stalking) Obama as early as June
2008 when he was yet the presumed Democratic
presidential nominee--apparently to ensure the political
support of Bush's successor to her precarious
presidency.

Her first attempt came via an expensive, 10-day, non-

state visit to the US in the midst of the American
presidential electoral process, but which failed to obtain
even a glimpse of his charismatic presence. The next
stalking came in November when she went again to the
US on the pretext of attending a UN-sponsored
"interfaith dialogue," even as she futilely chased Obama
all the way to his Chicago hometown. The third time, in
January this year, she suddenly diverted to Washington,
DC, instead of flying home after attending the Davos
World Economic Forum, just to be in the National Prayer Breakfast graced by Obama. Despite
spending millions of the Filipinos' money, despite literally going out of her way, and despite
breaking basic rules of protocol and even self-respect, Arroyo was humiliated the third time big
time, as she failed to get any face time with Obama. Not even a word acknowledging her
presence before the forum crowd of some 4,000 guests.

The costs of Arroyo's desperation-level jetsetting to stalk

Obama have been very high for the Philippines. The June
2008 junket, the largest in the country's history, was
enjoyed by no less than 60 solons and 10 cabinet
officials. It went on despite the battering that Typhoon
Fengshen inflicted on a considerable part of the
Philippines. The third time proved too much, as not a few
took notice and assailed her for 'wasting public funds
chasing Obama.'

US interests in the South China Sea

This author has been pleasantly amused by Obama's initial refusal to

be used by Arroyo or be associated with her corrupt government
early on, but is history smart enough to know that that it was only a
matter of time before he starts dealing with her. For some three
months, he managed to keep
the controversial Philippine
President at bay, and project a
clean-as-promised image to
the world. Less anyone
forget, however, Obama is
duty bound to uphold "US interests" first and foremost.

After all, in a period following the expulsion of the US

bases by the Philippine Senate in 1991, America has
needed to exert greater efforts to steer Manila's policies in
line with Washington's strategic and economic interests in
its former colony. From the time America colonized the
Philippines at the turn of the 20th century until about the
time of Ferdinand Marcos, Manila was a virtual pawn of
superpower Washington.

"Special" Fil-Am Friendship, Sealed by the CIA

The US and the Philippines have historically enjoyed a longstanding "special friendship." It
supposedly began on a spiritual plane, on the night of October 24, 1898 when US President
William McKinley arrived at the decision to colonize the Philippine Islands after the "voice of
God" told him "to take them all, to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them."
 Rightists embrace the US as an ally, while the leftists brand
America a neo-imperialist that has continued to exploit its
former colony even during the post-World War Independence
period. Particularly during the time when the US still had its
military bases, and the Central Intelligence Agency had its SE
Asian main station/regional headquarters in Manila,
Philippine presidents were de facto obliged to toe the
American line--or risks severe consequences. During a Cold
War period when clandestine CIA operations were marked by
intervention, deception, psychological warfare, instigations of
military coup d'état and even the assassinations of foreign
political leaders such as Chile's Salvador Allende (contained
in the 1975 Church Committee Report of the US
congressional investigations), the price of displeasing Uncle
Sam was tough. Nationalist Filipino Senator Claro M. Recto,
who ran for president during the November 12, 1957
Philippine elections, paid the price with having to endure a
bag of dirty tricks propaganda, and later, with his life. For
having actively opposed the military presence of the US in his
country, his presidential campaign was immorally and
deviously sabotaged by the CIA.

This agency-apparatus of US imperialism ran foul operations that included the distribution of
holed condoms sealed in packages labeled with "Courtesy of Claro M. Recto--the People's
Friend." During a more conservative era, just the condom themselves would have repulsed
Filipinos, and having them holes would have been seen as most obscene. The CIA work on Recto
apparently did not end there. On October 2, 1960, Recto 'mysteriously' died of heart attack in
Rome, Italy while on a cultural mission on the way to Spain. Before he died, Recto was visited
 by "two Caucasians" donned in business suits. The possible
involvement of the CIA in his death came to light following
the subsequent release of US government documents revealing
that CIA Chief of Station Ralph Lovett and US Ambassador to
the Philippines Admiral Raymond Spruance had discussed the
murder of Recto with a vial of poison.

On the "bright" side, Filipino leaders who kowtowed to the

former colonial master and espoused the American line were
well rewarded. The successful presidential campaign of
Ramon Magsaysay in November 1953 was largely helped by
CIA operatives David Sternberg who posed as a foreign
correspondent for the Boston-based Christian Science Monitor,
and New York lawyer and Republican Gabriel Kaplan. Under
Magsaysay's term, a high-level US committee report found out how "American policy in
Southeast Asia was most effectively represented in the Philippines, where any expanded program
of Western influence may best be launched."

The Call over High Seas

Day 0 - Saturday (HK GMT) March 14, 2009 Obama calls Arroyo
Day 1 - Sunday (HK GMT), March 15, 2009 Malacanang proudly propagates
news of the call

But deal with her Obama has begun. The call to Arroyo last March 14 was described by the
drumbeaters of an ecstatic Malacanang as a "surprise" communication. After playing elusive for
months, what issue of US interest could have possibly prompted Obama to finally make contact
with the notoriously corrupt SE Asian leader?

The answer is found in the high waters of the Asia and

Pacific region. The Philippines is a strategic pawn in the
high stakes power game the US plays amidst its decreasing
might in Asia-Pacific. The main challenge comes from
China, now the world's largest economy and an emerging
global power. Two weeks before, Washington and Beijing
had a spat over the interception by five Chinese vessels of
the unarmed USNS Impeccable that was conducting
surveillance operations in a disputed part of the South China
Sea. The Philippines itself is in a territorial dispute with
China over the inclusion of some islands in the Spratlys in the former's Archipelagic Baselines
Law

Philippine Sovereignty & Convicted Rapist US Marine Daniel Smith

According to Arroyo's Press Secretary, Obama called to reaffirm the alliance of US with the
Philippines and the commitment to the VFA "which remains critical to the bilateral relationship
and our strategic interests".
The scrape with China, which came two weeks before the call to Arroyo, presumably impressed
on the new US President the urgency to ensure that the US mutual defense agreement with the
Philippines be maintained-at practically all costs.

The VFA, which became effective in 1999,

has actually been a controversial agreement
among Filipinos since the beginning because
of provisions that apply US jurisdiction over
its military personnel accused of, or found to,
have engaged in crimes unless they are of
"particular" significance to the Philippines.
Critics call it an affront to the sovereign
integrity and independence of the
Philippines. Calls for its review and
scrapping intensified following the 2005
arrest of Marine Lance Corporal Daniel
Smith for the rape of a Filipina tagged as
"Nicole" in Subic, site of a former US
military base.

Wikipedia writes that: "Throughout the trial, the issue of U.S. vs. Philippine custody on the
accused U.S. Marines was the focus of street demonstrations and protests by political groups and
women's rights advocates, and it was a hot news item in the Philippine press." The Makati
Regional Trial court sentenced him with reclusion perpetua on December 4, 2006, making Smith
the first American serviceman convicted of rape under Philippine jurisdiction. The Subic rape
case would continue to be the rallying crux of nationalist and anti-American protest actions
against the VFA.

VFA Jurisdiction Issue of US Soldiers Involved in Crimes

For much of the trial and post-conviction, Smith was under the custody of the US Embassy,
following the agreement made between the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary and the US
Ambassador to the Philippines in December 2007. The US earlier canceled the yearly Balikatan
joint military exercises during the time Smith was in Philippine custody.

A lower court ruled to assert the power

of the Philippine over US troops in the
country, but amidst the disagreement
with the judicial and executive
branches, left the issue of custody with
the government to decide. The camp
of "Nicole" later filed an indirect motion of contempt against the transfer of Smith to the US
embassy, and also questioned the constitutionality of the VFA. The Supreme Court declared the
VFA constitutional and ruled the Philippine government should forthwith negotiate with US
representatives on the appropriate detention facilities under Philippine authorities, in accordance
with the VFA.
Obama's call and US covert hand

Day 2 - Monday, March 16, 2009 (HK GMT)

Malacanang denies that the case of LCpl. Smith was discussed in
the conversation by Arroyo & Obama
Day 3 - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 (HK GMT)
The mother of "Nicole," gives notice terminating services of Subic
rape case attorney;
Informs counsel that Nicole is already in the US "for good"; Nicole's
media statement vaguely complains of the state of justice in the
Philippines

As much as Obama's call came as a "surprise" to Malacanang, the Filipino public was surprised
mega-time with the subsequent news that Smith's rape victim, "Nicole," has terminated the
services of her lawyer and has gone to live in the US--of all countries. The development came
within only three days of Obama's call, no matter that Malacanang earlier denied that the case of
LCpl. Smith was not discussed with Arroyo.

Speculations are now rife that the

US government, with help from the
Philippine government, has
pressured "Nicole" into migrating
"for good" in order to take the heat
off from VFA. Officially, Smith's
rape victim received P100, 000 in
moral and exemplary damages.
Filipino senator Jamby Madrigal
says that the offer must have been
irresistible. The US Embassy will not comment, but it seems the US visa is part of the deal
because according to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales what she had filed for earlier was for an
Italian visa.

The press statement released by "Nicole" and expressing disappointment over the Philippine
justice system, thus, becomes disconcerting because common sense tells that if it is justice she
really seeks, she should not have chosen to reside in the country of her attacker. It simply does
not make sense how she could trust the very government that has refused to turn over her rapist,
LCpl. Smith, to the jurisdiction of the Philippine justice system. The fact is that Nicole has
already won the case in terms of proving that she has been raped--with the comforting help of
thousands of, although definitely not all, Filipinos who believed in her story and wished for her
court victory. She not only got Smith convicted, but, as well, won the custody issue, even if only
for a brief period.

Day 4 - Tuesday, March 18, 2009 (HK GMT)

* "Nicole" "recants" thru an affidavit
* First post-conviction recantation in Philippine history - Virtually absolves Smith of
rape; assumes her share of responsibility for the sexual act
If Day 3 brought surprise with the news of the rape victim's migration, Day 4's retraction news
stunned the Filipino public. After four years of fighting for justice in her case, going against the
US military, winning a conviction of life against Smith, and winning a lower court order denying
Smith's request to be put under the custody of the US Embassy, "Nicole" recants and suggests
that what she had with Smith could have been consensual sex. After Judge Pozon believed her
story, disbelieved and convicted Smith, based on medico-legal findings of contusions and blood
on her private parts, on witnesses who saw her crying after being dumped somewhere in Subic,
she now says she is bothered by her conscience as Daniel Smith could have really been innocent
of rape? All these within only three days of the Obama call.

Sorry, but the running script sounds

unbelievable, especially since this author saw
the media news interview of the van driver
who witnessed the rape of Nicole soon after it
happened in 2005. The account, which seemed
spontaneously given and done under no
duress, pretty much substantiates the forensic
evidence in the Subic rape case.

Amidst the dynamics of Philippine historical

subservience to its former colonizer, the
timings of the Chinese interception of USNV
Impeccable, of Obama's call, and the sudden,
surprising migration of "Nicole," along with
the implausible media statements and
recantations she supposedly signed, it's hard
not to connect the VFA and Uncle Sam to the
development and not suspect that a settlement
has been arranged.

Judicial & Social Ramifications of the Nicole-VFA-Smith settlement(?)

While this author understands the practical compromises

necessitated by the realities of geopolitics, what is sickening about
this Nicole-VFA-Smith settlement is that it puts Filipinas, as well
as accusations of rape, in a bad light, both within the Philippines
and outside. Marine LCpl. Daniel Smith is a convicted rapist,
judiciously tried by a court of law. Pressuring, or enticing, his
victim into absolving him and incriminating herself in the process,
present pretty serious judicial and societal ramifications.

For one, given the persisting machismo thinking among Filipinos,

the high-profile case could also lead people not to consider rape
cases more seriously. The development may also reinforce the
belief that the rape of drunken women is justified.
Lawyer Katrina Legarda, who has handled prominent rape and other women's issue cases,
believes it is a setback because judges may now think twice before handing "guilty" verdicts.
The retraction, if true, could add to the negative perceptions of Filipinas: perhaps as objects of
rape who can be later bought, or as liars who use sex in extortion.

'Hope, Change' in Foreign Policies. Or False Hope?

If the US of A is agog to keep the Subic rape case out of the way of the Visiting Forces
Agreement, can't just they ask the stalking Arroyo to pardon Smith of the crime of rape? Perhaps,
Smith should be told to muster all sincerity there is in him and then publicly apologize to Nicole
for the crime of rape. That should appease many Filipinos enough, particularly since he's
generally taken as a handsome, gentle-looking guy. Of course, under such a scenario, the US visa
offer to Nicole should stay, whether she takes it or not under 'normal' Malacanang and US
pressures.

Then again, who knows what exactly Obama

discussed with Arroyo, aside from his staff at
the White House and the Defense Department,
of course? If the "Hope, Change" electoral
mantra is to be (gullibly?) used as the metric of
assessing and predicting the 44th US President's
foreign relations track, he could very well have
faulted Arroyo for her corruption record and her
power grab twice over. Perhaps, there was really
no mention of the rape case of Smith
whatsoever. Another and not-so-bad a scenario
would be Obama actually having discussed the
Subic rape case, but having promised to make
the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement less one-sided by including rape in the crimes to fall under
Philippine jurisdiction.

Hope it's not wishful thinking. Or isn't it? Calling on your campaign promise of "Change," Your
Excellency Brother Barack Obama.

_______

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Photo Credits:
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