THE expansion of China in building an airstrip suitable for military use in contested territory in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands is of grave concern to all nations in the region. The US military commander for Asia, Adm. Samuel Locklear, said China could eventually deploy radar and missile systems on outposts it is building that could be used to enforce an exclusion zone should it move to declare one.
The sea lanes that could come under nearly complete Chinese control are a vital shipping route through which $5 trillion of trade passes every year. The Philippine government has the responsibility to protect our sovereign territory, as well as to cooperate with the international community to try to halt Chinese ambitions.
However, we are disturbed by reports that the government is encouraging the deployment of advanced air and naval equipment to the Philippines, which would require a US military personnel presence.
There is no question that the Philippines will never have the ability to counter Chinese aggression on the battlefield. But, in spite of comments by US President Obama, who accused China of using its “sheer size and muscle” to push around smaller nations, the deployment of US troops and equipment on Philippine soil is folly at this time.
The US would never attack the Chinese military unless American territory was under attack. So what exactly is the purpose of the US plan to deploy to the Philippines? The Chinese are not going to stop their “reclamation” projects even if the entire US Pacific Fleet was anchored in Subic Bay. What is the purpose of the US military deployment?
Similar US offers of equipment and troops on the same scale to the Philippines have not been made to Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, or any other country in the region.
The Philippines forced the closure of the US military bases in 1991. Permanent US presence in Asia is now limited to Japan and South Korea, but none in the Southeast Asian region. There is absolutely no military advantage to the Philippines of increased US presence in the country unless we are prepared to go to war against China.
However, there is a geopolitical advantage to the US if it can have even a semi-permanent presence in the Philippines and in the Asean region.
In the 21st century, the US has become a toothless tiger in Asia. China is the top military power in the region so much so that even Japan is moving toward establishing its own defense structure as to not rely on Washington. North Korea has long-range missiles and nuclear weapons. While trying to preserve its autonomy, Taiwan is growing ever economically closer to China. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will cut US economic influence even more.
Instead of being a US proxy, President Aquino should be on a plane to Beijing to sit face to face with his counterpart to try and resolve the issues. Only then should any decision on more US presence in the country be considered.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano
15 comments
That’s a lot of bullshit. America would not do that to the Philippines.
Why not?
“President Aquino should be on a plane to Beijing to sit face to face with his counterpart to try and resolve the issues.” The author is saying that if someone is bullying you, you should talk to him and persuade him to stop rather than go to someone of authority to stop the bullying. If the author’s way is followed, the bully will continue bullying while the bullied will pay homage. China has a lot of world history to read and learn. China can not behave in a manner that the US, Germany, Britain, Japan, Italy etc., behaved in tha past. The world learned a lot of lessons from those selfish, greedy behaviors and since then promulgated the mode of conduct for nations to follow so that the catastrophic blunders of the past will not be repeated.
WOW! A Pacfist and a coward just a little? No, Alot. What Aquino should be doing it telling the poor to wake the fuck up and put the Statehood issue to vote. 🙂
Ever cross your nationalistic mind that closing the bases was actually a mistake? 🙂
Yeah. Yeah. Closing the bases probably was a mistake, but it was forced by Pinatubo and the US actually did not want to spend to rehabilitate so they left. The US could have stayed and worked it out with the Philippines but it chose to avoid the expense.
It was also a mistake investing US and Europe’s high tech industries in China and feeding the bully. Twenty years ago, China was timid because it was poor. Now it is rich and extremely greedy and ambitious.
The one China policy was also a mistake. Watch out if Taiwan reunites with China.
The US granting independence to a devastated Philippines in July 4, 1946 was also a mistake when it was not even a year from the surrender of Japan. Manila was 100% ruins when the Philippine flag was raised in Luneta.
Very well said!
Very well said!
Similar US offers of equipment and troops on the same scale to the Philippines have not been made to Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, or any other country in the region. – yeah, only south korea and japan did, as well as australia…..so what is this eeeeedeeeeeot writer is proposing? counter chaynah with words and spit? you moron, you only need to look at vietnam, they are supposed to be chum buddies with their comrades from chaynah. yet how many times were they screwed over….a lot bobotantes even in the so-called educated class
I think it’s the author who should be boarding a plane, and smelling all the freshly polluted air in Beijing…..because he’s just chickened out on CHina
Some points:
1. The Philippines did not force out the US bases. Mount Pinatubo did. When the volcano exploded the US evacuated Subic and Clark in three days. The bases and most of Central Luzon were covered in ash 20 feet deep. Before that the Philippine government has been trying to force out the bases for two years to no avail.
I beg to disagree with the title. It is actually the other way around….the Philippines is pushing the US to war with China for obvious reasons. The Philippines is a pushover and it is crying uncle.
China is trying to establish bases offshore of the Philippines, whereas the US is trying to re-establish bases INSIDE the Philippines.
And most find the former more objectionable… ?
i like the last part :
President Aquino should be on a plane to Beijing to sit face to face with his counterpart to try and resolve the issues.
face to face talk with china, will give a chance for both side’s perpective, because it human nature to reject anyone who reject your opinion.. its like an automatic defense mechanism..
perhaps taking into account and studying China’s claim from their perspective will give way into them looking into our perspective.. there is no room for war in this time where we enjoy our growth, the 2 most fastest growing economy on earth should not clash but help each other..
perhaps… this is my sole opinion.. its not chickening out but looking into other angle..
The Philippines has been selling itself to China for a long time now. It’s China who owns most banking in South East Asia, It’s the croneys in Manila and all around the Philippines who take corruption money from so called Chinese immigrants that do what ever they want because the government officials in every part of the Philippines is on the take and that allows those same Chinese to own the vital businesses and not pay customs, duties, taxes and employee salaries and benefits that is required by Philippines law.
The conspiracy to remove Marcos, was created by Chinese families to install a system of puppets all controlled by Chinese who only want to use the Philippines for their own personal gains. Look what happened, the Chinese killed Aquino that afternoon and blamed Marcos for the assassination.
Today the once Philippine’s owned businesses, Petron, Philippines Airlines, PLDT to name a few, all sold to Chinese who bought these at bargain prices and thus no longer owned by the people.
If you think that the government is going to fight China, think again… it’s all a show and the losers are the Filipinos who don’t have Chinese connections.
China is not looking for the South China Sea… China already owns South East Asia. It’s working it’s way to claim South East Asia as their own…
This plan is now over 50 years in the making… China owns every banking system in South East Asia, now it will try to push their way and start spreading their peacock wings and show their cards. The WEST may or may not know what scheme China is about to unveil. All I have to say is be ready to change your opinions on what you know and everything you don’t.
There is a rude awakening coming for the world one day soon.
Mark my words… get ready to be shocked.