Philippines offers U.S. forces access to military bases

[okaawhatever]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - The Philippines has agreed to allow the United States access to its military bases under a new security deal being negotiated by the two allies, amid mounting concern over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The offer was made during a sixth round of talks held in Washington last week, Filipino officials said on Friday. The two sides hope to finalize terms before U.S. President Barack Obama embarks on a visit to Asia, including the Philippines, next month.

SNIP

"The proposed agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within certain AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)facilities with elements of the U.S. military." The United States plans to "rebalance" its forces in Asia-Pacific region, and has similar arrangements with Australia and Singapore, as part of its strategy to counter China.

SNIP

Manila would welcome the return of a U.S. military presence to deter China's ambitions in the South China Sea, and to help provide humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.

"It will not stop China from its bullying tactics, but it will become more cautious and might exercise self-restraint due to the U.S. presence," Rommel Banlaoi, an analyst at Philippine Institute of Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, said.

"The Philippines will also benefit from more exercises and more assistance from the U.S. and it will elevate the Philippines to a major non-NATO ally in the Pacific."

Friction between China and the Philippines and other states in the region, over disputed territories in the South China Sea has increased since last year despite diplomatic efforts to forge an agreement on maritime conduct.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/14/us-philippines-usa-idUSBREA2D0GE20140314

[Cha]

1. Good.. thanks okaa

[Elmergantry]

2. Tell them to pound sand

The Philippine Senate rejected a deal in 1991 to extend the presence of our bases. Fine. Defend yourself. We don't have the money anyway. Afterall we are "imperialists" right? Enjoy learning Chinese.

[7962]

3. Funny how things change when reality slaps you in the face, huh?

"We dont need you" always seems to turn into "Where are you?" when it comes to the US.

[olddad56]

8. I wouldn't look at it as the US defending the PI,

as much as the US needing a presence in this strategic location. A lot can change in 23 years. And if you are young US serviceman stationed there, it is a fun place to be stationed. Fillipino people are awesome.

[ctsnowman]

4. Great

more $ thrown down the MIC sinkhole while we get more austerity at home.

[jtuck004]

5. Cool. We can fight the Russians and the Chinese at the same time.

Hey, here's another idea.

If you have empty space, we have a couple states that have kinda legalized marijuana, perhaps more coming. Perhaps we could grow it there and import it? Win win for both of us, and we don't encourage any more of that war stuff. That's nasty business.

[TomCADem]

6. Doesn't Help That China Only Offered $100K In Typhoon Assistance

Philippines had just suffered a huge humanitarian disaster and China decided to flip the bird to the Philippine people by offering a token amount of assistance. China later offered more assistance in response to the uproar, but by then, China had managed to piss off the Filipinos on the street.

Put another way, that was a dumb move by China to stoke animosity among the Philippine people themselves. It is one thing to get into a fight over some barren island that no one cares about, but to flip the Philippines the bird when its people were suffering while the U.S. and most every other country was offering to help was just stupid on China's part and helped drive Philippines to seek a closer alliance with the U.S.

[geek tragedy]

7. interesting, wasn't aware of that, nt