[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 19689-19690]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, this year marks the 60th anniversary of 
Philippine-United States diplomatic relations and friendship. The 
partnership of our two nations is bound by several battles dating back 
to World War II, and continues today with the war on terrorism. Those 
who continue to pay the ultimate sacrifices do so in the defense of 
freedom and the democratic way of life.
  During World War II, Filipinos fought side by side with Americans in 
defense of Bataan and Corregidor, fighting a common enemy. Today, we 
face a different battle--the war on terrorism--a battle being fought 
and won in the Philippines. At this moment in many parts of the world, 
little children, innocent children are crying in pain. Many of these 
children are being killed from mines and explosives mainly because 
older men do not know how to discuss peace. They know only how to 
discuss war, hatred, and death.
  A month ago, together with the senior officers of the Republic of 
Philippines Armed Forces, I flew to Zamboanga on the Island of 
Mindanao. The main element of the mission was to inspect the joint 
Philippine and United States Armed Forces, and to receive a report on 
their activities. However, the event that impressed me most was the 
simple ceremony celebrating the presentation of 185 electrification 
projects to governors, chieftains, and leaders of various villages and 
towns in the many islands of Mindanao.
  These island villages and towns never had electricity. Children had 
to study by candlelight. For the first time, these communities have 
electricity in their homes. Children can spend more time learning. 
Parents can use sewing machines and other power tools to make products 
to bring to market. And, communities can use computers to surf the Web 
and connect to the world.

[[Page 19690]]

  The ceremony began with Asalamalaykum, and a prayer thanking Allah, 
recited by the Imam of Zamboanga. He was followed by a Christian 
minister, who read scripture from the Bible. Thereafter, children 
performed their traditional Muslim dance, welcoming us with such 
warmth, joy, and tranquility. While Christians and Muslims in other 
parts of the world are killing each other, to see the scene in 
Zamboanga, where Muslims and Christians are sitting together, breaking 
bread together, was a deep inspiration. It demonstrates to me that 
under proper leadership, miracles can happen, and miracles do happen.
  In Mindanao, there is a demonstration of hope. The joint military 
forces of our two nations have demonstrated that while you need an iron 
fist to combat terrorism, you also need to extend a hand of friendship 
to win their hearts and minds. When you work together, when you 
cooperate, when you consult, when you speak of peace and hope, miracles 
can happen. If the rest of the world did the same thing, children would 
not be screaming in pain.
  Of all the aid that we provide the Republic of the Philippines, 60 
percent is being spent in Mindanao to reinforce efforts to secure a 
lasting peace, and to build a better life for the people of Mindanao. 
More than 22,000 former Moro National Liberation Front combatants are 
now small-scale commercial farmers, earning incomes through farming 
corn, rice, and seaweed. An additional 6,500 former combatants have 
been trained to produce high-value crops, such as finfish and bananas. 
In partnership with the private sector, 6,500 households in 227 remote 
communities are now equipped with solar-powered, renewable energy 
systems.
  The ties that bind our two nations are based on the foundations of 
freedom and democracy. The work conducted today along with the economic 
opportunities and education provided by the Government of the Republic 
of the Philippines and in conjunction with the United States Government 
continues to pave the way toward a better quality of life and stability 
for the children and region of Mindanao.
  Mr. President, I commend to my colleagues the text of an August 2006 
paper entitled ``Securing Peace in Mindanao through Diplomacy, 
Development, and Defense,'' written by the American Embassy in Manila.

                          ____________________