Truth is winner in S'pore-RP relations
Truth is winner in S'pore-RP relations
By J. Soedjati Djiwandono
JAKARTA (JP): Findings of another autopsy on the remains of
the victims of the Flor Contemplation murder case have turned
out, in effect, to confirm the justice of the judgment by the
Singapore court.
The autopsy was carried out by a third party agreed upon by
both the Singaporean and Philippines governments. President Fidel
Ramos had earlier questioned the Singapore court judgment.
Upon the communication of these findings, President Ramos has
promptly stated that he is now ready for a reconciliation and a
restoration of normal relations between his country and
Singapore. The President has also stated that he will not make an
apology to the Singaporean government, which after all has made
no such demand.
Indeed, one would hope that the Singaporean government has not
intended to, and never will, make such a demand, which would,
again, create an impression of arrogance and self-righteousness.
The gentlemanly and statesmanlike attitude of the Philippines
president is to be appreciated. He has kept his word, and thus
his honor and that of his government and his people.
It must have been a moment of truth for President Ramos. He
therefore rightly deserves a praise and a response in kind by his
Singaporean opposite number, not another humiliation and a loss
of face, before his own people as well as before the world at
large. A demand for an apology would unnecessarily further worsen
relations between the two countries than it has been of late to a
point possibly beyond repair, to the detriment of both as well as
the region.
To be sure, things may never be the same again in the
relations between the two countries. But this might as well be
for the better. Both the Singaporeans and the Filipinos may from
now on learn to develop greater sensitivity to each other's sense
of national honor and dignity, and pride in their respective
systems and values. And both the Singaporean and Philippine
governments may foster closer cooperation in the future in
catering for the interest and well-being of Filipino workers in
Singapore.
It is only to be expected that normalization of relations is
not likely to materialize at once. Some Singaporeans may expect
more from President Ramos than just restoring relations between
the two countries to normalcy. At the same time, perhaps some
Filipinos are unhappy with the attitude of their own president
for precisely opposite reasons, which to them may appear like
buckling under Singaporean haughtiness. And both feelings of
disappointment may find expression one way or another. This,
however, would be natural in a democracy. Everyone is free to
express their views and one cannot possibly please everybody.
Also, for some time to come, Filipino workers may be reluctant
to go to Singapore to earn their living. But according to or
depending on the proper working of the supply-and-demand
principle, the flow of Filipino workers to Singapore might resume
in time, if it is really seen to be in the interests of both
countries.
Humility may be the proper attitude on the part of both
Singaporeans and Filipinos at this juncture. It is certainly not
wise to look upon the present development in the relations
between Singapore and the Philippines in terms of winning or
losing a fight for pride and prestige. Neither side wins or
loses. Truth or justice wins, as it always will.
The writer is a member of the board of directors of the Centre
for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta.