On my program Walang Atrasan over DWAR Abante Radyo, I discussed with Herman Tiu Laurel—better known as Ka Mentong— the Philippines’ place in today’s volatile geopolitical landscape. What emerged was a sobering reminder: our nation is once again caught in the crossfire of global power struggles.

Laurel’s central warning is clear: U.S. military bases in the Philippines, under agreements like EDCA, make us a strategic target. He likened these bases to “magnets for retaliation,” drawing the country into conflicts that are not of our own making. His words echo a deep concern that our sovereignty is compromised when foreign powers dictate our defense posture. 

He was unsparing in his critique of U.S. foreign policy, describing it as a cycle of “forever wars” designed to sustain the dominance of the dollar and control global energy flows. From Ukraine to the Middle East, Laurel sees a pattern: America’s wars are less about democracy and more about maintaining hegemony. 

The human cost, he stressed, will be borne by Filipinos—particularly the millions of OFWs in the Middle East. In the event of escalation, mass repatriation would be a logistical nightmare for a country already burdened with P17 trillion in debt and a domestic jobs crisis. Laurel’s question was piercing: how can the Philippines absorb such a shock when even reintegration at home is fraught with difficulty? 

History, he reminded us, offers lessons. During the 1970s oil crisis, the President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. implemented measures like the Oil Price Stabilization Fund and state-owned oil corporations to shield the nation. Laurel urged that we revisit such strategies, rather than remain passive in the face of looming energy disruptions. 

At the heart of his commentary lies a call to action: Filipinos must resist being reduced to “shock absorbers” in America’s global strategy. Instead of “forever war,” Laurel advocates for “forever peace”—a vision that demands independence, foresight, and courage from our leaders and citizens alike. 

Note

This commentary is based on my interview with Herman Tiu Laurel (Ka Mentong) on Walang Atrasan over DWAR Abante Radyo, and is published for The Bench Files to spark deeper reflection on the Philippines’ role in global conflicts.