Luczon: China phenomena



WE HAVE come to familiarize how Chinese people become part of our pre-colonial history.

They travel in our Philippine islands for barter trading; some eventually married native Filipinos and settled to become prominent families until colonizers came.

We have also learned how successful businessmen in our country today came from a Chinese lineage, who once lived in poverty from a province of China.

And now we are seeing another wave of diaspora: Chinese workers, taking in on what supposed to be jobs for Filipinos.

This would not be a problem, really, if only these foreign workers have to follow our laws and respect it the way our overseas Filipino workers do the same when they are in the foreign lands. This would not also be a problem if these foreign workers in general, not only the Chinese, have paid their taxes, too, but apparently, we have heard reports that some never bother to comply.

There is still a shroud of mystery as to why it is impossible to hire Filipinos on some Chinese-owned companies in their very own soil. It’s also quite an insult to our education system, the Philippine government introduced K to 12, and skills-based education so that graduates will be equipped with the capacity to work in the industries.

What’s hurtful is that some Chinese (or other nationalities) workers in the Philippines are illegal. If a Filipino found to be working illegal in their respective countries, chances are they get deported or end up in jail. And here we see our government trying to adjust our laws in favor of them, that’s just too much of being hospitable, is it?

Foreigners -- whether Chinese or from different countries -- are welcome. They can enjoy the beauty and bounty of our country. They can fall in love, and stay, and contribute to society for good.

It’s different story, however, if they come undocumented, perverse and disrespect Philippine sovereignty and laws, prostitute Filipino men and women, and exploit, abuse the vulnerable just because some Filipinos are in need of money.

Much worse if other Filipinos play accomplice to these illegal acts, conniving with corruption, without thinking how will it destroy the nation over time.

All of this -- for justice, and equity. If China sees us as allies, it should treat our country as equals, and that goes to other foreign countries as well, the United States, Russia, Japan, and so on. International cooperation is indeed important, quite necessary, but should not come at a cost that our nation will be compromised in a way that others would just trample on our dignity as Filipinos.

(nefluczon@gmail.com)

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