US Military returns to Philippines

[jadegil6]

There are several countries claiming rights to the Spradley Islands. They are China, Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. I have read that there is oil there, and that may be why everyone wants them. I guess we will all just watch and see how it all unfolds, and hope that there is not a war.

[wayne208]

Jade To Me the Wild Card among those Countries You Listed was Vietnam .. China and Taiwan have very stable and Intelligent Governments . Taiwan would like to be a Grown up at the Table but for Now I do not see that Happening . I believe that There will be some kind of Treaty .. How it ends Up No one Knows right now ..I just Hope and Pray that The Leaders will Use Caution .. I was Surprised not to See North Korea on the List . They Claim everything that they can see .I also think that The Philippines Claim to them is very strong in International Court .

[wayne208]

I see in The News that the Philippine Government will allow the U.S. To Open up to 5 Bases in The Philippines .. I am Sure that one of the Base's will be Subic Bay . I would not be surprised to see Clark Air Field opened to The U.S. in a Limited capacity . Beyond those 2 I have No idea what the News is saying as I think They are Guessing also .

[jadegil6]

This is the story that I found online about the deal:

The Philippines said Friday it plans to give the United States access to five military bases under a deal that could see US forces return to their giant former facility at Subic Bay.

An access deal signed last week would allow the US to rotate more aircraft, ships, equipment and troops over the next 10 years at unspecified bases in the territory of the Asian ally strategically facing the South China Sea.

The two countries are now in follow-up talks to select the Filipino bases, said defence undersecretary Pio Batino, the chief Filipino negotiator.

"Right now, the discussions would be ranging from three to five (Filipino military) bases," he told reporters.

"That's not the final, but that is the starting discussion point."

The Philippines is offering Fort Magsaysay, a sprawling army base about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Manila that regularly hosts annual large-scale US-Filipino military exercises, Batino said.

He added "limited portions of Subic" would also be offered, but declined to identify the three other bases under consideration.

The Philippines intends to conclude the discussions not later than September 30, Batino added.

The deal for increased US access is part of Philippine efforts to boost its weak military capabilities at a time of deep tensions with China over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea.

China claims most of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other countries in the region.

Subic, facing the South China Sea, was the former repair yard of the Japan-based US Pacific fleet.

American forces vacated it in 1992, along with nearby Clark Air Base, after the Philippine Senate refused to extend a bases treaty, ending nearly a century of major US military presence.

It is now a civilian free port, but maintains a US-era military runway and a deep harbour that is still used by American warships stopping over for military exercises or for regular provisioning.

Bound by a mutual defence pact, the US and the Philippines engage in regular war games that see thousands of US troops and state-of-the-art American military hardware brought to the Philippines.

The Philippines signed the bases access deal last week, hours ahead of a state visit to Manila by American President Barack Obama.

The deal also allows the US to build structures inside the bases for use by its forces, as well as to store supplies and equipment.

[cheryz]

if im not mistaken about the base of US here in the philippines it happens also in times of our grand-grandfather a long long ago its happen to in a history. am i right?

[jadegil6]

There has been a long history between the US military and the Philippines, and not all of it is good.
Fortunately, for the past 75+ years it has been on a positive track, and it looks like it will stay that way for a long, long time.
Presently, it is estimated that there are more than 250,000 American expatriates living in the Philippines, plus there are another 100,000 American tourists in the country at any given time. Soon there will be another 100,000+ American servicemen added to that number, so then we will be talking of a number estimated at half a million Americans who will be in the Philippines. if you add to that the numbers of Amerasians who have mixed nationallites, then that would add another 330,000+. Within a few years there will be at least one million people living in the Philippines who were born in the US, or who have American parents and US citizenship.
The recent poll showed that Filipinos think more highly of Americans than Americans think of themselves. It looks like a match made in heaven.

[cheryz]

thats right sir

[wayne208]

Jade I agree with You The Philippines and the U.S. make a Great Team . I hope that the next 75 years brings peace to Both Countries .

[cheryz]

more peaceful community for both of our countries and to other countries too. no war and have a peaceful life and country. im hoping more more years or hundred years may come. lets pray for this and offer this to GOD he will answer it.