Sir, - Having read Dr Frank McMullin's letter (January 17th), I feel compelled to write and express my surprise at his views. In light of the current serious problems facing the Filipino people I find his comments both unhelpful to the situation in general and particularly unfair to The Irish Times who obviously went to great expense to bring this deplorable abuse of human rights to the attention of the Irish people. Personally I have been studying this situation over the last few months and have just returned from the Philippines where I spent some time with Fr Shay Cullen in Olongapo City and the Columban Fathers in Manila. I have seen at first hand the sufferings, injustices and abuse of human rights documented by Nuala O'Faolain and sincerely hope that her series of articles will move the Irish nation to helping the poor and oppressed people of this isolated Christian country.
The core of the problem in the Philippines is as reported - the absolute poverty of the people, a poverty so great that it transcends the basic human instinct of parental love for children and the self respect of young women. In Ireland the work being done by Eoin Ryan TD and others is without a doubt a major step forward in the ongoing battle against the paedophile and the international sex tourism business. The only true solution to these symptoms of a larger underlying problem will be one that addresses the basic social and economic needs of the forgotten people who live in the ever increasing slums of the Philippines. A solution that will restore both the self respect and pride of this religious nation and kindle a new courage within its people; a courage that will fight against a system of government that seems to have a hidden manifesto aimed at making the ruling rich richer and the suffering poor poorer.
One of the best ways of finding this solution is through the concept of localised industrial and communal development combined with international fair trading practices. It is within these areas that myself and some colleagues together with the Preda Foundation in Olongapo city are establishing a series of projects aimed at addressing the core problems in the Philippines. Anybody wishing to participate in these projects can obtain further information by contacting me at the address below. Yours, etc.,
Managing Director,
International Financial
Systems,
Dame Street,
Dublin 2.