US Imperialism, The Philippines and Duterte

The rise of the United States as the top world superpower started with the1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War, and, where Spain ceded all its colonies including the Philippines to the former.

Before the treaty was signed, the Philippine Revolution against Spain was ongoing and the Americans could have just turned down transfer of the Philippine Islands and let the Filipinos find their own destiny. But the Americans were attracted by the commercial opportunities at hand and for the chance of acquiring a colony in Asia. In order therefore to appease concerns at home against colonialism, the US government through the US military force in the Far East fabricated reports that justified the acquisition of the Philippines. In the end, $20 million were paid by the US to Spain for the transfer of the islands and inclusion of the transaction in the 1898 Treaty of Paris. This ultimately led to the Philippine-American War and subsequent colonization by the US of the Philippine Islands.

It took more than four decades under American stewardship before the Philippines gained independence from direct American rule. Since then, while the United States treated the country as an independent state, the US political, economic and military clout over the Philippines have remained. This is because admittedly, the succession of Philippine Presidents that ruled the country remained subservient to American geopolitical policies.

In June this year, Rodrigo Roa Duterte took over as Philippines President. While not a national political personality before election, Duterte won the Presidency overwhelmingly. He gained supporters by espousing a platform of change in almost everything that Filipinos are tired of. Barely more than two months into office, Duterte was enjoying the trust of 92%

of the populace.

As a strong and colorful leader, President Duterte's policies are giving alarm signals to people with vested interests to protect, but who are used to past presidential politics. His campaigns against illegal drugs and criminality are attracting negative prejudgement from human rights groups who know nothing about the true events in the Philippines. His announcement of pursuing an independent foreign policies is making the US and other allies uneasy, although such discomforts are arising only from his personal demeanor and not from carrying out official policies. There are other noises from adversaries and yet for the great majority of Filipinos, Duterte is their ultimate hope for lasting positive changes in the Philippines. They are convinced of their President's sincerity to carry on with his election campaign platform as can be seen is his accomplishments during his first few months in office. After all, Duterte has stated that his life, name, honor and even the Presidency itself, are at stake in carrying out his official actions. God bless the Philippines and the President.