Pinoys in Bern need more explaining on foreign policy shift

By BRADY EVIOTA
Mindanews

BERN, Switzerland–Filipinos working in this Swiss capital say they still need more explanations on government’s recent shift in foreign policy.

The Filipinos admitted they were also startled by President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement in last week’s state visit to China to shift economic and political alignment from the United States to China.

RomelRegino, a native of Mindoro, said he does not foresee improvements in the Philippine economy by dealing with China.

“Yung shiftingbanatinsa China, may mababagoba? Angpagbabagohindidahilsa  kungsaantayonakakapit, kundi dun samganamumuno. Yan ang contributor sawalangpagbabago, yang corruption ngmganamumuno,” said Regino.

He said he doubts China’s economic intentions in the Philippines, more so because the Philippines had recently won its case over the disputed south China sea. “Pinapaboranlangtayong Chinakasimeronsilangintention saatin,” said Regino, who works at the embassy of an Asean member-country here.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with “10” being “most trusted,” Regino gave China a “1”, citing “unfair” trade agreements China has made with European countries. “Halimbawa, sasampung container napunonagalingng China, isang container langangpinapapasoksa China, kaya hindisila fair,”  he said.

Ritchie Tia from Leyte also gave China a “1” on the trust scale. “Walangnegosyonggustongmatalo, siyempre may kapalitangmgayan. Yang investments, utang pa rinyan.Paanokalalabasdyan, pagnakabaonkana?” said Tia.

BoyetLabaya, a native of Baguio, meanwhile said that while he is not against breaking off economic ties with the US, he fears the repercussions of that move.  “MaramingmagingapektadosaUS, kasimatagalnatayongallies,” said Labaya, who works as service staff in a local hospital.

He also decried the swiftness of this policy shift, made while the President was on a state visit to China. “Sa ating foreign policy, kelanganngtime bagosiyamagdesisyonngganyan. Hindi pwedengsasabihinmohoramismo, ayokonasamga Kano. Nakakagulat. At parasa akin, masyadongmaagayungpag-pivot sa China,” added Labaya.

Wilson Ferrer from Pangasinan, an embassy worker here, also gave China a “1” as future trading partner. “Yung mgabinibentanilamaramingpeke at maramingsmuggled,” he said.

He said he does not understand why the Philippines will open up to more trade with China which has border conflicts with the Philippines. “MalakingproblemasaatinangChina,inaawayngasiyadahilpagawaandawngdrogagayangshabu,” said Ferrer.

Other Filipinos, however, approved of more economic ties with China.  Antonio Lusotan, a restaurant worker from Agusandel Norte, said: “Walanatayongmakukuhasa US. Silaangnakakuhasaatin. Walaibangintensiyonang US kundisagiyera, nagkakaperasiladahilsagiyera, dahilsagulo,” said Lusotan.

He gave an “8” to China as a trade partner, saying the Asian giant was rated “high” among its numerous trading partners. “Umuunladkasiyungmgabansakunsaanpumapasoksiya (China),” said Lusotan.

(Brady Eviota of Surigao City wrote for the now defunct Media Mindanao News Service and later worked as an editor in Cagayan de Oro City. He moved to Bern with his family in 2006).