The decision to remove the everlasting US military presence within the Philippines was made greater than 30 years ago. The United States once operated two significant bases there, but many Filipinos desired to declare independence because they believed the bases were remnants of American colonialism.
In light of rising tensions with China, the Philippines is now encouraging the United States to again expand its military presence there by providing 4 additional military facilities.
The United States already has access to 5 military bases within the Philippines, including locations in Mindanao, Palawan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and the Visayas. As the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement accelerates, the United States would gain access to 4 more bases.
The U.S. Department of Defense said in a Feb. 1 statement that expanded access to more locations “will make our alliance stronger and more robust and speed up the modernization of our combined military capabilities.” There are currently roughly 500 American soldiers within the Philippines.
Additionally, the United States argued that increased access to bases would promote economic growth through foreign investment and job creation, in addition to “a faster response to the humanitarian and climate crises within the Philippines.”
While many Filipinos might view the U.S. presence as a tactical means to counter and deter Chinese influence and invasion, others should still remain wary of the social consequences of giving the U.S. military a lot control over their territory.
At a news conference, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called the investment a “serious issue,” but in addition stressed that it didn’t mean the United States would again establish everlasting American bases within the archipelago.
In the early Nineties, after the Philippine Senate rejected a pact that may have prolonged American military presence in exchange for aid, the United States formally ended its 94-year military presence within the region by closing Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base.
According to the Associated Press, the 2 countries have previously discussed recent locations within the northern province of Cagayan, across the Taiwan Strait, in addition to Palawan and Zambales. The locations of additional military bases to which the US will now have access haven’t been made public.
Source: TIME.com
