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Southeast Asia
Philippines offers US access to bases
2014-03-16
[The Peninsula] The Philippines has agreed to allow the United States access to its military bases under a new security deal being negotiated by the two allies, amid mounting concern over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The offer was made during a sixth round of talks held in Washington last week, Filipino officials said yesterday. The two sides hope to finalise terms before US President Barack Obama
Dreams of My Sainted Father...
embarks on a visit to Asia, including the Philippines, next month.

"Consensus was arrived at on many provisions of the draft agreement," Pio Lorenzo Batino, defence undersecretary told a news conference, adding the deal is 80 percent done.

"The proposed agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within certain AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) facilities with elements of the US military."

The United States plans to "rebalance" its forces in Asia-Pacific region, and has similar arrangements with Australia and Singapore, as part of its strategy to counter China.

The new agreement on enhanced defence cooperation will allow the United States increased deployment of troops, ships, aircraft and humanitarian equipment.

US military access in the Philippines is currently limited to during annual joint-exercises and port visits. The Philippines kicked the United States out two large military bases, including Subic Bay, in 1991.

While that ended a special relationship going back 40 years between the United States and its former colony won its independence in 1946, an alliance has endured.
Posted by:Fred

#7  Meanwhile, not to be outdone by Macalanang = PHIL Govt. ...

* CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > [Defense News] ANALYSIS: CHINA BACKS MANILA INTO A CORNER, LIMITED OPTIONS FOR THE US.

ARTIC = The fact that China controls the SCS is illustrated by the PHIL being forced to airdrop supplies to its personnel on Ayugin Shoal = China's Renai Reef, not by seaborne delivery; EXPERT SAME BATEMAN ARGUES IT IT BE FOOLISH FOR THE US TO CONTEMPLATE OR PROVIDE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE PHILIPPINES.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2014-03-16 22:54  

#6  Subic is an economic port now. The mil could use some of it but most of it is commercial now. Clark was destroyed by the volcano and then ransacked after we left. Not much there either. They will nod their heads yes to America and then after they take the USAID and FMS monies they will find a constitutional problem with it and say no. Even the Philippines will play Obama as the fool he is....
Posted by: 49 Pan   2014-03-16 20:41  

#5  Odd, I seem to remember that the bases were US built (Primarily to fight the Japanese,), now we're "Given" Permission to use them, Did you ask the Japanese first?
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2014-03-16 20:09  

#4  At last check, a news source was claiming that Manila has agreed to allow the US access under the PHIL Armed Forces to the former Clark AFB + other Milfac areas, but NOT Subic Bay???
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2014-03-16 19:45  

#3  Correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC they modded their Constitution to preclude foreign military from being stationed on their soil again.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2014-03-16 11:00  

#2  Fuc* you Americans! Uncultured, crass Americans! We hate all of you! Fu- the Germans are here! Hello Americans! We love you!
~ Robin Williams


Posted by: Besoeker   2014-03-16 04:49  

#1  ..gotta protect the Obama Presidential Choom Wagon Library from east and west, right.?
Posted by: Uncle Phester   2014-03-16 02:14  

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