Seventy years after the end of the Second World War, the geopolitical landscape in our part of the world has completely changed. Japan, our bitter enemy in that war, is now a strategic friend, our biggest trading partner and aid provider. China, our friend and ally in that war, on the other hand is no longer one of our best friends. Although we continue to trade and be as civil as possible with each other, the relationship is strained. This is because of our conflicting interests relative to the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea as we call it. China has claimed almost all of it and is enforcing that claim with its might. China has become the Japan of the 1930s—expansionist and daring in projecting its new found power.
As a result, many countries in the region are reassessing their strategic priorities and alliances. Prior to the increased tensions in the South and East China Sea. Japan has always concentrated its affairs towards the west. It is after all one of the G7 countries and proud of it. It is the only Asian country in that exclusive club. But times have changed. China now dwarfs Japan in both economic and military power. Unquestionably, China has become a serious threat to Japan. Now, Japan is drifting back to Asia where it belongs. It is undergoing tremendous self-examination to find ways to confront Chinese designs.
Although the United States remains the anchor of its defense alliance, Japan is trying to find ways to strengthen its relationships with other countries like us that are very concerned with Chinese intentions. With the reinterpretation of the Japanese pacifist constitution, we now see Japan more willing to engage in areas that were once taboo to the Japanese government. We will now receive about 10 new coast guard ships from Japan; there is also that possibility that they would transfer defense equipment. We are beginning to conduct joint maritime exercises and see more Japanese navy ships calling on our ports. Just recently, Japan agreed to provide $2 billion in concessional loans to finish our stalled railway project to Bulacan. It is the largest single concessional loan given by Japan.
It is in this atmosphere that we welcome Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to our country for a five-day state visit. That the Philippines was chosen for this very rare state visit is significant because Japan suffered more than 500,000 combat casualties here. This is not however, their first trip to this country. I remember their first trip because they visited our school in Baguio and we students had to line up to welcome them. President Aquino did the right thing in breaking protocol to meet the Emperor and the Empress at the airport. Although there are outstanding unresolved issues that remain between our countries like the matter of comfort women, the Philippines is the one Asian country that has the most favorable view of the Japanese and has shown willingness to look to the future instead of dwelling on the past. Let us welcome their majesties and hope that their visit will be fruitful for both countries.
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As I write this piece, the Mamasapano hearing is going on in the Senate. Senator Enrile is throwing incisive questions to the invited resource persons trying to extract from them what they know about what President Aquino did from the beginning to the end of Oplan Exodus.
The alleged recording in the possession of retired Police General Diosdado Valeroso should also be played for whatever it’s worth. The threat issued by Senator Drilon about violating the anti-wiretapping law should be dismissed. Senator Enrile is right. The Senate hearing is not a court of law but a legislative hearing in aid of legislation. Besides, why should the anti-wiretapping law be used to protect people who might be culpable of crime? In fact, the anti-wiretapping law has been the sanctuary of criminals planning and committing high crimes. The anti-wiretapping law, as I have written in the past, should be amended to protect only innocent communications and not to protect criminals who use current communication technologies to commit crime.
Case in point is our automated election system. Time and again, cause-oriented groups have pointed to the danger of electronic during elections but these have always fallen on deaf ears. No lawmaker has really looked into the pitfalls of our automated election system to find better safeguards so that the electorate will be electing the public officials they want. Maybe this is because of the cheating culture that has become ingrained in our electoral culture. No candidate wants to lose and will always find a way to win or put one over his or her opponent. If that is by cheating, so be it.
The forthcoming elections in May will undoubtedly produce many enterprising schemes claiming to ensure the victory of certain candidates. Since there are a lot of gullible candidates, many of them will fall victims to this racket. But make no mistake—electronic manipulation can be done. It would depend on whether a candidate who wants to cheat can connect with the right and capable outfit that can do the manipulation. I know that there are still many who are skeptical that electronic manipulation can be done with all the safeguards being put back by the Comelec into Automated Election System but even with the safeguards, computer experts will insist that manipulation is still possible. Judging by what happened in the 2010 elections which was manipulated albeit crudely, the technology that will be employed in May must now be a lot more advanced.