Baguio praises US role as Left blasts Americans

BAGUIO CITY—The summer capital owes much to the American colonial government, which designed and built Baguio City at the start of the 20th century.

But during this year’s commemoration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day, local activists assailed the United States for its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the Philippines during a photo exhibit at  Malcolm Square.

Boy Scouts earlier offered flowers at the city square named after the late US Supreme Court Justice George Malcolm, whose bust now faces the open area on downtown Session Road that  has been identified as one of Baguio’s freedom parks.

“Edca (which was signed on April 28) will bring more trouble to the Philippines and allow the US to rebuild new military bases that  would not submit to Philippine jurisdiction,” according to members of  Tongtongan ti Umili, which mounted the exhibit.

US atrocities

The exhibit featured photographs depicting atrocities attributed to American troops during the Philippine-American War. One photograph shows dead Filipino revolutionaries laid out at the feet of American soldiers.

Elderly Baguio residents roamed the exhibit area, among them American expatriates, who appeared oblivious to a hand-painted poster depicting Uncle Sam. The poster was labeled with the phrase “Friend or foe, the truth about Edca.”

The city government held a separate celebration of the US’ contribution to the city’s development through a short program at City Hall, which was attended by Baguio war veterans.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan cited Brent School and Teachers’ Camp, facilities that played historic roles in Philippine governance.

Training ground

Lovenia Gorospe, assistant superintendent of  Teachers’ Camp, said the facility had been the training ground of Philippine public school teachers for more than a century, beginning on April 6, 1908, when the American colonial government convened the first Teachers’ Vacation Assembly there.

At the time, the camp was composed of tents that  housed teachers in training. These teachers would eventually lead the country’s public school system.

Like in previous July 4 celebrations here, the city’s Boy Scouts, led by former Councilor Narciso Padilla, brought flowers to the busts of Baguio’s founding fathers, an obligation they fulfill each year without fanfare. Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon