Once again, Filipinos find themselves betrayed by a supposed ally. The United States regularly claims that the Philippines is a “friend,” “partner,” and “ally,” but history and present reality tell a different story; one of exploitation, manipulation, and abandonment.
Henry Kissinger once said, “It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal.” For the Philippines, this has proven painfully true.
A Historical Pattern of Exploitation
| SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOCIAL COMMENTARY! Subscribe to our Substack community GRP Insider to receive by email our in-depth free weekly newsletter. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter, GRP Insider! Learn more |
The relationship between the Philippines and the United States has always been unequal. From the very beginning, America’s so-called friendship has come at a steep cost to the Filipino people:
Colonial conquest under false pretences
The US justified its occupation of the Philippines in 1898 by claiming to “civilize” Filipinos. In reality, it was a brutal war of conquest, with over a million Filipinos dead and Filipino resistance labeled as “insurrection.”
Forced Parity Rights
After “granting” independence in 1946, the US forced the newly sovereign Philippines to amend its constitution to allow Americans the same economic rights as Filipinos. This wasn’t partnership— it was economic colonization.
World War II betrayal
Over 250,000 Filipino soldiers fought under the American flag during World War II, promised equal benefits and citizenship rights. After the war, the US rescinded these promises. Veterans died waiting for justice and compensation that came decades too late—if it came at all.
Damages by US military bases
For decades, the US operated bases on Philippine soil. The damages left behind—environmental destruction, broken communities, and economic dependency—was never compensated adequately.
Repeated interference in domestic affairs
From supporting and abandoning dictators like Marcos Sr. when it suited them, to pushing one-sided policies that benefited US corporations at the expense of Filipinos, America has constantly meddled in Philippine internal matters, always under the guise of “help.”
Modern-Day Betrayal: A Friend in Name, a Bully in Practice
Fast forward to today, and nothing has changed.
The Philippines continues to give America everything, yet receives little in return:
One-sided visa policies. Americans can enter the Philippines visa-free. Filipinos, meanwhile, endure long lines, humiliating interviews, and must pay thousands just to apply for a US visa—no guarantee of approval.
Tariffs and trade barriers. Even as the Philippines bends over backward to please Washington, the US has not hesitated to impose tariffs and sanctions that hurt Filipino businesses and consumers.
US military expansion—on our dime. Under the guise of “defense,” the Philippines has opened its doors to more American military bases that we host and maintain, paid for by Filipino taxpayers’ money. This has increased tensions in the region and put the Philippines on the frontline target of America’s enemies!
Filipinos jailed and mistreated in the US. From documented OFWs being jailed and deported, to Filipinos being among the top victims of anti-Asian hate crimes, the “special relationship” clearly doesn’t protect the lives and dignity of our people abroad.
Overpriced and outdated weapons. Our own Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, proudly facilitated arms deals that will cost the Philippines ₱350 billion for outdated missile systems—while millions of Filipinos go hungry. This is not diplomacy. This is betrayal.
The F-16 deception
As part of the supposed “modernization” of our military, the US is pushing the Philippines to purchase F-16 fighter jets, even though these aircraft are decades old and cost more than newer, more advanced models from other countries. While nations like South Korea and Turkey develop or acquire stealth fighters and drone squadrons at a lower cost, the Philippines is being sold overpriced, obsolete hardware—further deepening our dependency while draining our limited defense budget.
The Illusion of Partnership
The United States continues to treat the Philippines not as a sovereign partner, but as a dependent colony. Military agreements, trade deals, diplomatic engagements—always tilt in favor of American profits.
Remember when former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shamelessly admitted: “We lied, we cheated, we stole.” These words aren’t just rhetoric—they reflect a foreign policy doctrine that sees allies as pawns, and Filipino lives as expendable.
Time to Wake Up
Filipinos have long been generous with our friendship and forgiving in our judgment.
But there comes a time when we must ask:
How many more betrayals must we suffer before we assert our dignity as a nation?
The Filipino people deserve better than to be endlessly used by foreign powers.
We must reassess our so-called alliances. Real friendship is based on respect and reciprocity—not manipulation and abuse.
It is time to wake up.
Cook wide reader political crackpot music afficionado old soul out-of-the box thinker aspiring writer tech geek gearhead
Have you no standards to allow such blatant Chinese Propaganda to promote PH victim hood and self-loathing?
USA purchased Philippines for $20M from your 333-year oppressor, Spain. USA fought side-by-side to extract your oppressor in WWII, Japan. USA gave PH your independence and you have elected every public official who has brought you to where you are today as an Economically Developing country.
China is also an Economically Developing (Communist) country—that would love to treat PH as a captive—like Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Affiliation with CCP would be nightmare for Filipino people.
Enough of the China propaganda on this forum!
Obama admin didn’t give a damn about those islands when the Chinese were just starting to do reclamations in there. They even scolded then President Aquino to stfu and not escalate the issue. You opportunist schmucks just waited for the Chinese installations to grow bigger so you have an excuse to call for war and sell us weapons.
And maybe you are conveniently forgetting lots of countries are present there, including Vietnam that took way more islands than China.
Our country was coexisting peacefully with China and others in there until Bongbong Marcos turned Amboy and started a full anti China stance a year into his presidency. That and going after all Du30 allies. All to please the Americans that turned my ancestors into zoo animal displays in the US.
You ate still blaming Obama?
Let me bring you up to date. My suite is in multiple languages including Spanish Tagalog!
https://listondonn.ph/what-does-donald-trumps-election-mean-to-asia/
The author fails to point out that without USA support, China takes all those contested islands eventually because let’s face it — the Philippine navy is a joke. Who is going to defend the Philippines when China makes a move for Palawan? Go See where those diplomatic protests and ICC cases get you when faced against a real power like China.
Are you blind? Vietnam took a lot more than China. And other ASEAN nations are also in there.
Yet, surprisingly, US executives are all going to China and Vietnam, not the Philippines.
meanwhile, china’s presence in the USA consists largely of 4 tons of uncooked orange chicken located in a storage freezer at Panda Express
china is actually on the defensive position here.
consider that the USA has strategic forward bases and nuclear missiles and planes in korea, japan, and the philippines – thousands of miles away from their own shores, within immediate striking distance to key chinese cities and sea routes while at the same time, using korean, japanese, and filipino people as shields.
now, who’s the bully again?
I think there should be more active campaigning against foreign threats, like literally engaging people out on the streets. These days we think we’re doing enough by being on social media and online, but there’s a sense that we’re unconsciously mistaking the internet for actual reality.
we should rid ourselves of american lackeys like baby m and tibo geodoro,idiots who think they can swing it with the big boys but are actually mere towel boys.
we would do well to mind our own business, adopt a truly independent foreign policy, be content with wiping white people’s shit overseas and come home to build bungalows on the beach.
by then the only foreign threat we should have to face is how much damage that egg mcmuffin is gonna do to your pork-stuffed heart.
“china is actually on the defensive position here.”
Yes, that is probably true.
China’s defense of their imaginary 9/11 dash line in the entirety of South China Sea is a position that the Chinese alone, not the rest of the world, take seriously.
In 1988, mainland China established its presence for the first time by occupying eight reefs after engaging in a brief naval clash with Vietnam that claimed 66 Vietnamese lives.
now, who’s the bully again?
If China’s basis of claims of ownership of the entire SCS being their historical right, then the Chinese should also consider, that, historically, China was just a part of the Mongolian Empire.
check your map.
where is amerikka, and why do they have military bases they here in asia?
for certain, not to distribute usaid
Well, CHINA just got Sandy Cay despite the presence of 9 EDCA bases and Typhoon shit missiles in Luzon. Your stupid MSM even referred to the area as South China Sea. Much like how your officials, welcomed by the president of a pingpong club from a remote town in China, couldn’t even mention West Philippine Sea infront of the CPC.
If the dollar were to collapse tomorrow, what would your money be worth? Would you still trade your time and health if tomorrow is not guaranteed? Belief in tomorrow is belief in your fellow.
China NEVER takes a defensive position.
China is a reptile.
USA has long been a worldwide force for good through a strategy of Peace through Strength. USA attempts to bring all nations of goodwill under the tent of civilization and representative government.
Strategic location of U S military assets are necessary to deal with reptiles who might try to misrepresents their true nature, and cause harm to others, misrepresented by propaganda such as this story.
Since Americans are guaranteed Freedom of Speech under our constitution we don’t get too excited about yapping dogs misrepresenting appropriate U S A self-interests.
By contrast Chinese Communists would probably not allow this blog.
this reeks of classic american propaganda all the way up the yangtze river.
of course the communists are the bad guys.
of course america will save the world thru this so called “rules based international order”
of course ho chi minh was nothing more than a little gook tunnel rat from chinatown.
of course saddam was hiding chemical warheads up his hairy sumerian ass.
but still, who’s the real bully here?
they try to paint china so bad as the international bad guy, but all these mutherfukkers really want to do is sell you buttloads of these rip-off china phones.
All those bases being paid by the idiot polvoron govt plus typhoon and nmesis shit. And the Chinese still managed to get Sandy Cay.
USAID educated minds are still adamant about their superiority.
Yep. China floods PH with inferior junk.
Better than nothing?
USA will be picking up its manufacturing game.
Americans have stopped buying Chinese junk.
There wouldn’t have to be any junk if making stuff isn’t mainly done to maintain profit. But it’s the monster people have created that can never be satisfied.
yes, china brand new “junk” is better than nothing, as the philippines can manufacture almost nothing on its own.
matter of fact,the country is flooded with actual junk – trucks, cranes, excavators, engine parts, appliances,baby strollers, even old shoes and clothes, referred to as “surplus” goods but actually scavenged from scrapyards and garbage dumps in korea and japan.
the philippines has no business hanging with the big boys of the nuclear club and should steer away from being drawn into another american proxy war, which will just end badly for us.
better focus on self development for now,
rather than already talking big while still carrying a toothpick for a stick.
from china – cars, trucks, phones, basketball shoes, everything needed for daily life
from amerikka – war materiel and the stuff that comes out of the hormel foods corporation
we need those basketball shoes.
but we have absolutely no need for war and the military bases of warmongering foreigners on our shores and near our homes, rendering our people into hapless human shields.
once again, philippines handling the sandy cay situation like idiots.
we are not on the same footing as china and must behave accordingly, not gloat around waving our national flag like grade schoolers during united nations week parade
if amerikka were on the other side, and not china, we would have been blasted out of the water within minutes and sent home crying to mommy and the international liberal media.
Maggot-brained megget’s duterte-like antics of a very obvious and showy attacks of the US will not get us closer to China.
Rampaging loud as if he’s on the same footing with the Chinese is actually not behaving accordingly but is a form of clueless Filipino idiocy. Indeed, a very bad display of ‘Filipino for China cheer-leading’. And for what exactly?
The US and China will each act on their own interest and we will with ours.
The Philippines’ position is , as always, to act (and behave accordingly) in the pursuit of our own strategic interest.
@Khan But not while being a US puppy. And last I checked, China has been trading with PH for centuries even before the Spanish trash ever set foot on the island. But guess which countries occupied us.
instead of propaganda and suing(wtf) china in the icj and crying in the international media, why not just go grab “our islands” and build outposts there?
we have plenty of jobless and landless squatters and lots of ayuda cash to feed them year round, all while living in a white sand island paradise.
sure beats living under a bridge
The F-16 deception and the visa parts of your article are stupidly written. The F-16 is proven and has outstanding combat record. South Korean and Turkish stealth fighters are not proven to be stealthy yet. The Philippines cannot be trusted with F-35 because they are more prone to infiltration by foreign spies. Another thing is F-16s are constantly upgraded to meet modern standards.
On the visa part, blame your fellow Filipinos for the hardships Filipinos need to endure to get US visas. If your fellow countrymen don’t overstay in the US, then they would go easy on Philippines in visa applications.
Oh, the US only had few colonies and was a lot kinder than European colonizers.
Instead of blaming the US for Philippines’ misfortunes, you Filipinos got nothing to blame except yourselves. You kicked out US Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base which also reduced opportunities for Filipinos to work because Filipinos could serve in the US Navy in Subic which would’ve given them better chances of acquiring US citizenship. You had to take that opportunity away from them.
@juan piece: “Well, CHINA just got Sandy Cay…”
Where’s the proof? Stop making stupid assertions that you can’t prove. You’re embarrassing China by being their gullible cheerleader.
Well, the tone of your statement is kinda weird. It’s curiously celebratory. Is it considered a gain for the Chinese? From the perspective of a Filipino Idiot?
@megget: “check your map.”
I have checked my old maps. The first map doesn’t show the visual representation of China’s claims known as the nine-dash line (also known as the eleven-dash line) while the second one clearly shows the familiar U-shaped line, and the dotted line in the South China Sea. The second map, obviously, indicated that it was made in China.
Same question for you. Where is China, and why do they also have military presence there in Africa?
Of course, geopolitically speaking, I would know the answer to that and the same answer and/or reason apply for both the US and China.
Would you go for China just because former President Duterte said so? Using your critical thinking, tell us, what the most spectacular thing exactly did Duterte get from China for the Philippines during his watch?
Was he able to prevent China’s incursions in the SCS and from continually harassing us inside our own exclusive economic zone during his time? The obvious answer is NO!
For your sake, here are some sample incidents in 2020-2021, if you’re too lazy to research:
April 2020 – China inaugurated two maritime research stations on artificial islands that are claimed by the Philippines: Fiery Cross and Subi Reefs.
December 2020 – Satellite images from sources revealed that China deployed its largest military aircraft, the Y-20 transport, to Fiery Cross Reef for the first time. The deployment was followed by a series of Chinese military exercises in the waters surrounding Hainan Island.
January 23, 2021 – China’s legislature passed a new coastguard law authorizing China Coast Guard vessels to fire at foreign ships.
February 17, 2021 – China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) corvette pointed a director — part of its fire control system — toward the Philippine Navy’s anti-submarine corvette BRP Conrado Yap near Commodore Reef in the South China Sea.
Obviously, China betrayed even a friend like Mr. Duterte and his rabid loyal DDS minions still failed to recognize that.
Recall: Ex-President Duterte did not even hold back his then Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. from lashing out at China on Twitter in 2021 as tensions continued to escalate over the South China Sea:
“China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE FUCK OUT. What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province …”
Now, why do you think Duterte decided not to terminate the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) despite of his many threats to do so?