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foreign capital was needed to create
industry necessary to strengthen
their economy. Soon it was obvious
that foreign investors were in fact
the new conquerors of the nation.
Their wealth and economic power
dominated not only the economy
but also the government itself.
Much has been written about the
graft and corruption within the gov–
emment of the Philippines, ignoring
the fact that the corrupted too often
followed the example and lead of
powerfully wealthy foreigners . Mosl
small , underdeveloped countries are
taken advantage of to sorne extent
by stronger externa! powers. The
need for foreign exchange forces un–
derdeveloped countries to sell their
wealth in the form of minerals and
natural resources at deftated prices.
Even when govemments such as the
United States sincerely want to as–
sist smaller nations, their very pres–
ence so dominates the economy that
the pride, spirit and moral fiber of
the people are usually eroded. Small
nations generally must possess great
strategic wealth (such as today's
Arab states) before they can man–
age to exert pressure at all on the
economic giants.
Revolutionary groups have taken
advantage of military weaknesses to
infiltrate outlying Filipino commu–
nities with subversive armies dedi–
cated to the overthrow of the
existing government. During the
late J960s, uprisings by students and
dissident groups within the cities be–
carne rampant and the situation
precarious. Presiden! Marcos had
little choice other than to impose
martial law. Almost immediately,
the riots stopped and the high rate
of crime began to drop. Reforms
were introduced. Many Western ob–
servers found it difficult to believe
that a large segment of the popu–
lation, pleased with the immediate
results of martial law, backed the
president's actions. But it was - and
slill is - true.
Naturally. President Marcos faces
an almost endless list of pressing
issues thal musl be solved: lhe need
lo feed his ever increasing popu-
PLAIN TRUTH June-July 1974
lation, the need to provide job op–
portunit ies to more and more
workers every year, lhe need to do
business with, but nol be dominated
by, foreign countries. There are still
subversive groups throughout the
country. Sorne strict controls have
been lifted - others remain. Manila
has been given a face lift, and tour–
ism is solicited worldwide. The cost
of living, while among the most fa–
vorable in Asia, continues to in–
crease, and the average citizen
is
often hard put to make ends meet.
The PhiJippines needs time, pa–
tience and economic assistance. It
has the time and patience, but capi–
tal investmen t must come from
abroad.
The Filipinos are not a backward
people. They have achieved one of
the highest literacy rates among de–
veloping nations. But this also poses
a problem - that of providing
meaningful jobs for the educated.
Thousands of Filipino elite - teach–
ers, doctors, nurses, scientists, engi–
neers, tradesmen - have deserled
their native land to find jobs in the
better paying areas of the world.
The Philippines needs these tal–
ented potential leaders desperately,
but the opportunit ies for mean–
ingful jobs and a reasonable income
are so limited lhat it is difficult to
coax them lo relurn.
Those who remain continue on in
spite of the setbacks. They !ove their
country and want to see it prosper.
They want something better for
their children.
Thirty-two years ago. Japanese
forces conquered Bataan and broke
the organized defense of the Philip–
pines. But Filipino resistance con–
tinued with guerrilla tactics and did
nol end until the last enemy forces
were driven from their shores.
Ferdinand Marcos was one of the
resistance fighters who remembers
lhose days. He also remembers that
Filipinos relied on a foreign power
to defend them
in
December 1941-
to no avail. Last month, at ceremo–
nies observing that ignominious sur–
render, President Marcos called
upon his people to "never depend
again upon an ally, no matter how
strong." Still the Philippine nation
- in fact most small, developing na–
tions - needs help from sorne out–
side source if it hopes to achieve
independence of action in the fore–
seeable future. President Marcos is
doing what he can to bring about
those goals.
In sorne ways, the Philippines is
symbolic of Asia. Government lead–
ers strive against seemingly insur–
mountable problems. For their
etforts they are hated by sorne, en–
vied by sorne, loved by sorne.
The way of life of the people has
changed little over the years. They
grow their rice, fish their waters and
live their lives each day as it comes.
When tragedy strikes, there is little
the government can do to assuage
the emotional pain. People, with
characteristic drive and tenacity,
replant the ftooded fields, rebuild
their bornes and learn to savor life's
joys as they can. They rear families
with !ove and patience. Chi ldren
honor and respect their parents.
Though simple and lacking Western
luxury. life is usually uncompli–
cated.
lt
is a hard life, but for a
people used to hardship. they don ' t
worry about it. Things will be better
someday when a new kind of world
leader will provide solutions to
man's many problems. In the mean–
time, people enjoy what they can
today and hope for a better tomor–
row. Fortunately that better tomor–
row is coming - perhaps sooner
than many realize.
o
Readers will be happy to learn
that Herben W . Armstrong. edi–
tor in chief of the Plain Truth, will
again be visiting the Phil ippines
in May. As the result of many
personal visits to East Asia and
especially to the Philippines.
Mr. Armstrong has developed a
deep love and respect for all
Asians. On this visit. he in–
augurales a series of personal ap–
pearances in various countries.
He will be speaking in Manila
May 17. 18. 19 on the subject
··rhe M issing Dimension in Mod–
ern Living. " An account of his
public meetings will appear in the
August Plain Truth.
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