Sir, - The bleak picture of the Philippines presented by Nuala O'Faolain, could have a dateline of a decade ago, when the Marcos regime was in its twilight. While she clearly reflects the pessimism of those who are dealing with the serious problems of sex abuse and widespread poverty, there is little evidence of the optimism that the opportunities to emulate the economic development paths of other South East Asian economies, may at last be within the grasp. Every long march begins with one step and to view the events of February 1986 as a portent of what can be achieved by Filipinos from now, while ignoring progress that has been made in recent years, is surprising. On the sex abuse issue itself, the decision of the Philippine Congress to close the American bases, after a 94 year period of entanglement, was in itself a significant step forward.
It is not fair to write that the only tourism in Manila is sex tourism. Of the million or so foreign visitors to the country annually, most still pass through Manila rather than Cebu, the other international air gateway. I don't believe that the majority of them are sex pests. The country has some fine resorts that may understandably be considered as the playground of the rich. But bona fide tourists do not go to Tondo. The stark contrast between a white Mercedes in Forbes Park and the squalor of Ton do, does not sum up the Philippines. I've had many Filippino colleagues in recent years who earned more annually, than President Ramos and they were not planning to move to Dasmarinas or Forbes Park, on their return home.
can understand why Shay Cullen wouldn't be very enamoured by former Marcos protege, Richard Gordon's role in the development of the Subic Bay facility. However many impartial international commentators have praised the efforts that are being made to attract foreign investment. I'm sure that not all of the incoming Taiwanese, Japanese and American firms will be paragons of virtue. However, in line with the experience elsewhere, companies like Federal Express will set standards that will eventually become the norm. In the Third World the multinational firm is generally the preferred choice over indigenous companies as exploitation is far more likely in the latter. then the former. This is a view that has been confirmed by direct experience.
Apart from the laudable efforts to make sex pests responsible for their crimes at their domicile, it must be recognised that injustice and corruption in the Third World can only be eliminated through economic advancement. The referred to world system of sexism and racism will not be changed by wishful thinking and it should not be forgotten that the racism of the white has plenty counterparts in the societies of the Third World. It is also easy to decry policemen or others who take bribes. However, apart from countries that have a very severe punishment regime, it is almost universal. There is no simple panacea and the success of the developing economies in South East Asia was not without its downside either. Although the choice is simple, there are many in the West who wish to have their cake, and eat it. The reference to the planned development of the Subic Bay facility, as providing the potential for profit on a Marcos scale, begs the question as to what Ms O'Faolain would propose as an alternative to provide a livelihood for thousands of people?
Ms O'Faolain correctly attempted to put her story on sex tourism in an economic context. Unfortunately, she has painted Smoky Mountain rather than a panorama of the Philippines of 1996. - Yours, etc.,
Stillorgan,
Dublin 4.