Pro Patria et Imperio or Omnia Mihi Ipsi?

IT HAS been over a month now since the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed with finality last July 30 the many cases that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Department of National Defense (DND) filed against Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation.

To recall, on May 15, Defense Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro, PAOCC Executive Director Benjamin Acorda and their men swooped down on the facility over the issue of “national security” (Teodoro) and human trafficking and violations of labor laws, safety, and national product standards (Acorda) purportedly committed by the Chinese-owned company.

The DOJ, however, was not swayed by the propaganda and jingoist rhetorics thru the media of Teodoro and Acorda and dismissed their accusations for lack of evidence and probable cause with certainty of conviction if elevated to a proper court.

But instead of simply staying silent after being embarrassed by the ruling, Teodoro and his confederates in government even doubled down on their ‘let-us-hate-China’ campaign by coming out with more accusations against China and its businesses here.

It is not about “saving face,” really. Teodoro is just proving that under his watch, the DND and the AFP have become a national embarrassment as “lapdogs” of US Imperialism.

The perception is not entirely groundless. The US Embassy, reacting to the backlash from the questionable visit to the Sanjia facility of US soldiers last August 19, explained in a press statement that the intended “inspection” is “to assess its (Sanjia) potential for use as part of bilateral military exercises” under the US-RP ‘Balikatan’ military exercises scheduled for next year. “The site visit,” the Embassy added, “was part of routine planning.”

These words should be enough to question Teodoro’s real motive. They affirmed his willingness to shut down legitimate foreign businesses on any pretext if fancied by the Americans for their own use.

Adolfo ‘Ka Ado’ Paglinawan, our former press attaché to Washington and current Vice President of the Asian Century Philippines Institute (ACPI), also raised the issue of “cartel wars” pitting Chinese-owned steel plants against those owned by Fil-Chinese businessmen.

In his column last September 1, Ka Ado not only pointed to some government officials’ effort to politicize (and demonize) Chinese firms but also, to the present “war” between two “blocs” in the local steel industry of which, one of them, SteelAsia, is owned by Teodoro’s alleged schoolmate and close friend, Benjamin Yao.

Citing the very informative article of former Philippine News Agency (PNA) chief editor Gigi Arcillas, Ka Ado said the “fight” is over the technology used in the production of steel products.

On the one hand is the PISI (Philippine Iron and Steel Institute) dominated by SteelAsia that uses coal-fired (fossil fuel) technology. On the other is the Philippine Induction Smelting Industry Association (PISIA), composed mostly of “independent” factories such as the raided Sanjia Steel, which prefers induction smelting technology in steel production.

Is our defense chief silently playing the role of “bastonero” in the service of his fellow moneyed friends leading to their cartelization of our steel industry? And what about the US Empire’s designs for our country?

Either way, satisfying US Imperialism and his friends would be a “win-win” situation for Teodoro.

“Pro Patria et Imperio” (For Country and Empire)?

Or, should it be, “Omnia Mihi Ipsi” (All For Myself)?