Imperialist Impact on Women in the Philippines: Violence and Exploitation Enforced by the Foreign powers

Author: Dimple Paz, Editor: Jovie G. | Photo: The Chiristian Science Monitor

Imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism, where dominant capitalists control industries and banks to dictate the global economy. In the Philippines, this is evident through the overwhelming presence of foreign monopoly capitalism, particularly from the United States, which exerts significant control over the country’s economy, politics, and culture.

Economic Domination

The Philippine economy is heavily dominated by foreign ownership in key industries such as oil, banking, communications, and mining. The country’s economic structure relies on the export of cheap raw materials while importing costly finished goods, creating a dependency on foreign markets. Additionally, the peso is tethered to the dollar to ensure continued access to foreign currency, further entrenching this dependency.

A significant portion of the economy is sustained by remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), many of whom occupy low-paid, menial jobs, with women comprising a substantial portion of this labor force.

Foreign debt worsens this economic dependency. Loans from institutions tied to U.S. revenues impose stringent conditions, such as privatizing essential industries like oil and public services, including education, healthcare, and utilities.

Political and Military Influence

U.S. imperialism wields political dominance over the Philippine government and military through economic control, media influence, and direct military intervention. The presence of the U.S. military is solidified by agreements such as the Access and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), U.S.-RP Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). These treaties primarily serve U.S. strategic interests in Asia and further entrench Philippine dependence.

The Philippines also aligns with U.S. foreign policy and supports its wars, despite their devastating impacts. From Palestine to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Vietnam, and the proxy war in Ukraine, U.S. militarism has left a trail of destruction. In Asia, its rivalry with China exacerbates regional instability.

Violence Against Women: A Byproduct of U.S. Military Presence

The growing presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines has exacerbated issues such as the trafficking of women into prostitution and has been marked by high-profile cases of rape and murder involving U.S. soldiers.

The Subic Rape Case (2005)

In November 2005, a 22-year-old woman known as “Nicole” filed a complaint against five U.S. servicemen from the USS Essex for gang rape. Despite the outcry and extensive trial proceedings, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) enabled the U.S. to retain custody of the accused, undermining Philippine sovereignty and justice for the victim. Although one accused, Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, was convicted in 2006, he was transferred to U.S. custody and later acquitted, leaving Nicole and the Filipino people disillusioned.

The Murder of Jennifer Laude (2014)

In October 2014, Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old trans woman, was murdered by U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton in Olongapo City. Pemberton was convicted of homicide but not murder, receiving a reduced sentence. In 2020, President Duterte granted him an absolute pardon, allowing his early release and deportation. This decision sparked outrage among human rights groups, emphasizing the lack of justice for Filipino victims of crimes involving U.S. soldiers.

Violence and Impunity

These cases underscore a disturbing pattern: U.S. military presence fosters a culture of violence and impunity. Filipino victims, particularly women, face systemic injustice, as agreements like the VFA and EDCA prioritize U.S. interests over the welfare and sovereignty of the Philippines.

Call to Action: Junk the MDT, VFA, and EDCA!

The U.S.-Philippine military treaties undermine the country’s sovereignty and perpetuate exploitation. True independence and national sovereignty can only be achieved by the Filipino people, free from foreign domination.

Now more than ever, oppressed peoples worldwide, from Palestine to the Philippines, must unite against U.S. imperialism. The Filipino diaspora can play a crucial role by supporting campaigns to end U.S. military intervention and upholding the fight for genuine freedom.

Let us stand together to resist imperialism and build a world rooted in justice and liberation.