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Philippines Welcome US Military Back

The United States military has returned to Naval Station Subic Bay in the Philippines after a 24-year absence, bringing 6,000 troops for exercises. Philippine leaders welcome the return as it could boost the economy and counter China's influence in the South China Sea. While some business owners and 92% of Filipinos view the US favorably, others like the League of Filipino Students criticize the military presence as exploiting the Philippines for American economic interests. There are also concerns about past misconduct by US personnel near Subic Bay.

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Niel S. Defensor
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49 views2 pages

Philippines Welcome US Military Back

The United States military has returned to Naval Station Subic Bay in the Philippines after a 24-year absence, bringing 6,000 troops for exercises. Philippine leaders welcome the return as it could boost the economy and counter China's influence in the South China Sea. While some business owners and 92% of Filipinos view the US favorably, others like the League of Filipino Students criticize the military presence as exploiting the Philippines for American economic interests. There are also concerns about past misconduct by US personnel near Subic Bay.

Uploaded by

Niel S. Defensor
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Philippines Welcome US Military Back

The United States military is back in the Philippines, and local merchants and government leaders appearpleased.
The United States brought 6,000 troops and otherpersonnel to Naval Station Subic Bay for exercises inApril. And
U.S. ships are also using the facility toprovide supplies to Pacific-based naval ships.
Philippine leaders welcome the return of Americansafter a 24-year absence. They hope the U.S. presencewill boost the
nations economy and counter Chinasefforts to assert more control over the South ChinaSea.
The Philippine government retains control over theSubic Bay base, located in Olongapo, and other militarybases.
The Philippines has always given the love to America,said Olongapo business owner Stephen Lyon. But theres
a betrayal, and issues in the past and worse.
In 1991, the Philippine Congress voted to expel the U.S.military from Naval Station Subic Bay and Clark AirForce Base.
At the time, 24 years ago, many in
the Philippinesviewed the United States as having too much influenceand control over their country.
That resentment carried over from the 48 years 1898 to 1946 that the Philippines was a territory of theUnited States.
Naval Station Subic Bay had been the largest overseasU.S. military facility. It served as a major ship repairingfacility.
Its seaside attractions made it a favoriterecreation and resting place for U.S. military personnel.
Last year, the Philippines signed a 10year agreementto allow the United States to post troops, weapons andmaterials at several bases, including Subic Bay.
That pact was challenged and is now before thePhilippines Supreme Court.
The court is not expected to rule on the case before President BarackObamas visit to the Philippines Nov. 18-Nov.
19, according to Philippine newsreports.
Still, the United States is now able to post large numbers of troops temporarilyat Subic Bay for exercises.
Some business owners say they hope to benefit from spending by Americantroops.
We like Americans to come back here in Subic, said Mar Amil, 45, who sellscell phones.
Because, you know the jobs here and the businesses, thatswhy we like Americans to come back in the base. Everybody,
99 percent, theylike Americans here.
Amils view is supported by research polls. The Pew Research Centerreported last April that
92 percent of Filipinos view the United States favorably.
But the welcome of the U.S. military isnt shared by everybody in thePhilippines.
In August, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) criticized the arrival in SubicBay of the U.S. submarine,
the USS Chicago.
Chicago is just another addition to the number of US military forces makingport calls in the country, the
groups Charisse Baez said in a statement. The U.S. pivot to Asia is
its grand scheme of conquering the region andexploiting peoples such as Filipinos for its own economic interests.
The Navy seems aware that bad conduct in the past by U.S. militarypersonnel near Subic Bay angered local residents.
A U.S. Marine was charged last year with killing a local transgender man in anOlongapo hotel room.
The military has since banned personnel from the local entertainment district.
United States officials call for close ties with the Philippines and other Asiannations.
They want to gain increased access to bases in the Philippines. Alsoimportant are the 80,000
U.S. troops based in South Korea and Japan and the U.S. refueling facility in Singapore, they say.
Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford Jr. recently met with leaders in SouthKorea and Japan.
He said he found the leaders wanting a close relationshipwith the United States.
The amount of engagement that we have in the Pacific is unprecedented,Dunford said. He is chairman of the
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Meryl I. Liporada Grade 10- Helium

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