Should US return to Philippines permanently?

2015-04-29T09:11:47-04:00

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 29 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-04-29T09:24:50-04:00

Yes, with the continued unrest of the Middle East and North Korea. I believe the ports, Subic Bay, Are crucial to our overall planning. We are in Japan, South Korea if we setup or add more troops in the Philippines this will be another port for the 7th Fleet.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/04/28/us-negotiating-troop-rotation-philippines-catapang-china-base-troops/26512301/

U.S. negotiating to rotate troops to 8 Philippine bases

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will allow the U.S. to use eight bases for troop rotations.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 29 at 2015 9:25 AM

2015-04-29T09:25:30-04:00

Honestly, I think Australia/NZ would be a better staging ground. Just less issues overall.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 29 at 2015 9:26 AM

2015-04-29T09:26:13-04:00

Are we getting back in the Empire business?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-04-29T09:27:24-04:00

Please do vote in the Survey! Electronic coin in your future....

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 29 at 2015 9:41 AM

2015-04-29T09:41:31-04:00

Why?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 29 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-04-29T09:46:08-04:00

They are already talking about having joint Naval and Air Base with Japan. I believe the Naval base will be in Olongapo and cover about 70 acres while the Air Base is to be in the southern islands. The Philippines are worried about China become the bully on the block, like they stopped being that, and want both the US and Japan to have a presence there to help protect the islands.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 9:48 AM

2015-04-29T09:48:00-04:00

Part of their constitution forbids permanent stationing of foreign troops, which is why the rotations there are now 1 year only, so we have a permanent solution to use temporary troops.

They need the training, mentorship, and engineering experience the US can give them, they are also a strong ally. Since they are asking for our support all in for it.

And yes most of that country now realizes the error of asking us to leave after WW2.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 11:36 AM

2015-04-29T11:36:09-04:00

We never left.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 29 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-04-29T15:10:33-04:00

China is exercising their imperialism by calaming 90% of the South China Seas which will close the waterways for most of the Asian countries. They have posted a few Filipino marines on a grounded ship to defend the coast. The political elite and wealthy did not want us there because they felt it was colonialism. They also increased to bases to an astronomical amount. So we left.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Apr 29 at 2015 8:35 PM

2015-04-29T20:35:26-04:00

Should we return ?? YES, if, again, we were welcomed ... Location, Location, Location !! Largest overseas ship repair facility.. DEEEEP waters.. We were very good for their economy.. they catered to our needs... Clark AB, NAS Cubi Point, Subic Bay/San Miguel.. We had an established foot hold, however, as usual we totally screwed up, we took advantage of a good situation... If there is a next time we have to honor rules of the "host" country and stop being sneaky with what we take in and store in-country, then maybe we will be able to work together.. We were there for some 99 years.. Should have, Could have been more.. Why POLLUTE ??? Why not just follow the same laws that we follow in CONUS ??? GAO/NSIAD 92-51 ... "clean-up Philippine Islands, Clark A.B., and Subic Bay" would reach "SUPERFUNDS" ??? Why "superfunds", when the U.S. denies Toxic Waste issues in the Philippine Islands ????? ( OOOOOP's)

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 29 at 2015 8:44 PM

2015-04-29T20:44:57-04:00

It would greatly help their economy but what do the people want? Aren't they still fed up with our drunken idiocy from our off duty time? Guam seems close enough.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 8:54 AM

2015-04-30T08:54:53-04:00

We are already moving in that direction. Fact is the in order to counter China the US Navy and its allies are going to have to increase their presence in the South China Sea, no different then other periods in world history the Philippines are strategically located to promote that presence.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/04/28/us-negotiating-troop-rotation-philippines-catapang-china-base-troops/26512301/

U.S. negotiating to rotate troops to 8 Philippine bases

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will allow the U.S. to use eight bases for troop rotations.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 9:06 AM

2015-04-30T09:06:57-04:00

Read up on the PI Insurrection--a little known chapter about America's First Vietnam.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/war

House panel approves $612 billion authorization bill

The measure includes military retirement reforms, a 2.3 percent pay raise for troops and a host of annual policy updates.

Response by SGT William Howell made Apr 30 at 2015 12:28 PM

2015-04-30T12:28:51-04:00

They kicked us out. Why would we want to go back? They thought they were ready to play with the big boys. They can figure it out without risking American lives.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Apr 30 at 2015 2:42 PM

2015-04-30T14:42:33-04:00

I would like to see a bigger US presence in the PI, both for strategic and personal reasons. There are few better locations strategically to deal with whatever pops up in the SE Asian area of PACOM. The bases that were there previously were invaluable during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the PI is not an expensive place to have and maintain bases like Europe has become.

On a personal (read: selfish) level, my wife is originally from there and we have a small vacation home on Lingayen Gulf so more bases increases the chances that I could find a job there someday.

I've spent a lot of time discussing the situation with ex-pats who live on our beach as well as friends and relatives of the wife and the general consensus for them wanting the bases closed was because of the seedy elements that the bases brought (it being a Catholic country and all); however, go to Angeles City nowadays and it has gotten 100 times worse. Clark has been converted into a hub for cheap Asian airlines whose main purpose seems to be carrying rich Korean and Japanese sex tourists.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 30 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-04-30T14:51:14-04:00

They act like brats who call uncle the need you, but we will stipulate how our forces are deployed, and they want a lot of money so you can protect us.

Response by SPC Byng Ramone made Jun 11 at 2017 1:12 PM

2017-06-11T13:12:52-04:00

fuck no fuck that swamp