Philippines/US deal to return troops
According to the Associated Press, the US has signed a defense pact with the government of the Philippines for the next ten years. I guess that after a few decades without us, the Filipinos decided that we’re better than nothing;
“The Philippines’ immediate and urgent motivation is to strengthen itself and look for a security shield with its pitiful military,” Manila-based political analyst Ramon Casiple said. “The U.S. is looking for a re-entry to Asia, where its superpower status has been put in doubt.”
The convergence would work to deter China’s increasingly assertive stance in disputed territories, Casiple said. But it could further antagonize Beijing, which sees such tactical alliance as a U.S. strategy to contain its rise, and encourage China to intensify its massive military buildup, he said.
Hundreds of American military personnel have been deployed in the southern Philippines since 2002 to provide counterterrorism training and serve as advisers to Filipino soldiers, who have battled Muslim militants for decades.
The agreement states that the U.S. would “not establish a permanent military presence or base in the Philippines” in compliance with Manila’s constitution. A Filipino base commander would have access to entire areas to be shared with American forces, according to the primer.
Category: Terror War
So that means maybe the 1622 Club and the Sapango will open up again?
They want our returned presence, but not a permanent presence?? W-T-F!! Can we afford this??
Went to PI in 2002 for that. Sweet libo.
We stayed on their marine recruit training base and there wasn’t much there except for some huts. It was like a Vietnam movie with primative village and live stock just roaming everywhere.
With PC as the game of the day, a old time fleet sailor will not feel welcome in the old ports of Olongopo, Cubi Point, etc. Trouble was just down the street and across the canals.
Aw, memories. BZ
It’s my understanding that Angeles City is still hopping. But I’m also told the scams there are worse than ever.
Perhaps one of the largest bits of karma that call to a little shit-poy corrupt country was in 1991 when Desert Storm/ Shield was winding down. The us leases for Subic and Clarke were aabout up and the philipinos were going to charge smr crazy rate for being there, Right in the middle of the taks mountpinabo blew its load and pretty much destoyed the bases, The US delegation just gup and walked away
The rumor I heard at that rime was that the US Government had been looking for a way to pull out of the PI, and the Filipino Government handed it to us on a silver platter when they demanded more money from us, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo was just icing on the cake.
I don’t know what you mean by “returning to The Philippines”. About ten years ago, I was attending a party hosted by my wife’s friend, another Filippina, and one of the woman there let me in on a secret. I’ll tell you know, but you can’t let it go beyond this message board; The US never left. Beneath Clark AFB, there is a secret bunker staffed with USAF personnel, and they have been residing down there since the pullout in 1991. Theses guys are so secret and dedicated to the mission that they have never come up to ground level to get some fresh air. Nor, apparently, to get some liberty in Angeles City.
That’s believable.
Here at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, there’s a top secret CIA laboratory thirteen stories below ground.
I ain’t never seen it, but I know it’s there.
Actually, when I was living in Washington, D.C., for a little while after the attacks of Tuesday 11 September 2001, there actually were some United States Army “AVENGER” mobile anti-aircraft “Stinger” missile launchers stationed on the grounds of the Ol’ Soldiers’ Home (located on high ground overlooking all of downtown DC), and later, they set up a highly visible twin rotating radar warning system, plus hidden soldiers equipped with “Stinger” missiles on the roof of one of the buildings (which has since been demolished and replaced with a newer structure).
Also, at one time, the CIA actually did have an office (or something) located in one of the old brick houses on the grounds of the Ol’ Soldiers’ Home, but I reckon all that stuff is probably long gone.
In all seriousness, having been a resident there, I’m guessing the Ol’ Soldiers’ Home is a great place for bona fide official government covert operators and/or covert operations to “hide in plain sight”.
Similarly, for the very same reasons, it would probably also be a fairly good option for the United States Marshal’s Federal Witness Protection Program.
Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!
Does this mean I can get back into the United States Army?
Do I get to wear that snazzy dress blue uniform?
Will girls be impressed?
Sign me up TODAY!
Oh, by the way, my doctor at the 81st Medical Group on Keesler Air Force Base is a Philippina, who looks just like Michelle Malkin.
I’ve been to Germany, Viet Nam, Korea, Israel, Japan, Thailand, Greece, Ireland, and Mexico.
But, I ain’t never been to the Philippines.
When I was in the old Republic of Viet Nam, a construction company from the Philippines was there, Pacific Architects and Engineers (i.e., “PA&E”).
But, everybody jokingly called them, “Promises, Alibis, and Excuses”.
Oops!
I forgot to include Australia.
I also went to Australia.
That was the BEST thing about being a soldier, being able to see all those foreign countries!
It is my understanding that we have been VERY active in the Philippines since 9/11, they are just doing a better job of information filtering than anywhere else.
Granted, no big bases full of fat GI/Sailor wallets, but active none-the-less.
My battalion was in Subic from December 77 to January of 78. Best liberty I have ever had. This was right after Marcos got rid of Martial Law. We still had a midnight curfew, off the streets. I have some very fond memories of Olongopo, I even named my dog after the place.
You named your dog “Claptown”?
Nipa Hut.
I was not there but my friend in the dorm was…..and lived to tell about being the floor show.
/clap, clap, clap, calp
I wonder if Marilyn’s is still around?
I was there in 1997 for a few weeks while I was in the SOG. The old Clark air base airfield manager was the uncle of one of the CCTs’. Went to Cebu for training. That was a great trip.