US, Philippines agree on larger American military presence

[Saithan]

MANILA​

The United States and the Philippines announced on Thursday an agreement to expand American military presence in the Southeast Asian country, where U.S. forces would be granted access to four more Philippine military camps, effectively giving them new ground to ramp up deterrence against China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.



The agreement between the longtime treaty allies under a 2014 defense pact was made public during the visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

The allied nations also said in a joint statement that “substantial” progress has been made in projects at five Philippine military camps, where U.S. military personnel were earlier granted access by Filipino officials under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA. Construction of American facilities are currently underway.

Austin briefly met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has taken steps to nurture closer ties with Washington since taking office in June, and would later meet with his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez Jr., about Washington’s plan to expand its military presence in the country.

“The EDCA is a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, which supports combined training, exercises, and interoperability between our forces,” the U.S. and the Philippines said.


The allies said “the addition of these new EDCA locations will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges.”

No details were immediately given about the agreement, including the location of the four Philippine camps where U.S. forces would be allowed to construct barracks, warehouses and hangars, but Philippine military and defense officials said in November the U.S. had sought access to five more local military camps mostly located in the northern Philippine region of Luzon.

Two of the additional camps where the U.S. wanted to gain access are located near mainland Luzon’s northern tip, across a sea border from Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait and southern China. Other local camps that would host American forces lie along the country’s western coast, which faces the disputed South China Sea.

China and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have been locked in increasingly tense territorial disputes over the busy and resource-rich South China Sea. Washington lays no claims in the strategic waters but has deployed its warships and fighter and surveillance aircraft for patrols that it says promote freedom of navigation and the rule of law but have infuriated Beijing.

“The Philippine-US alliance has stood the test of time and remains ironclad,” the allies said in their statement. “We look forward to the opportunities these new sites will create to expand our cooperation together.”



The Philippines, Washington’s oldest treaty ally in Asia, used to host two of the largest U.S. Navy and Air Force bases outside the American mainland. The bases were shut down in the early 1990s after the Philippine Senate rejected an extension, but American forces returned for large-scale combat exercises with Filipino troops under a 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement and the EDCA pact.

The Philippine Constitution prohibits the permanent basing of foreign troops and their involvement in local combat. The EDCA defense pact allows visiting American forces to indefinitely stay in rotating batches within designated Philippine camps with their defense equipment, except nuclear weapons.

US, Philippines agree on larger American military presence - World News

The United States and the Philippines announced on Thursday an agreement to expand American military presence in the Southeast Asian country, where U.S. forces would be granted access to four more Philippine military camps, effectively giving them new ground to ramp up deterrence against China’s...

www.hurriyetdailynews.com

 

[Saithan]

US secures deal on Philippines bases to complete arc around China​

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) was in the Philippines to finalise the deal
By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
BBC News, Manila

The US has secured access to four additional military bases in the Philippines - a key bit of real estate which would offer a front seat to monitor the Chinese in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
With the deal, Washington has stitched the gap in the arc of US alliances stretching from South Korea and Japan in the north to Australia in the south.

The missing link had been the Philippines, which borders two of the biggest potential flashpoints - Taiwan and the South China Sea.

The deal, which in part reverses the US' departure from their former colony more than 30 years ago, is no small matter.

"There is no contingency in the South China Sea that does not require access to the Philippines," says Gregory B Poling, director of the Southeast Asia programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

"The US is not looking for permanent bases. It's about places, not bases."

The US already had limited access to five sites under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) - the new additions and expanded access, according to a statement from Washington, will "allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges", likely a veiled reference to countering China in the region.

The statement came after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr in Manila on Thursday.

The US hasn't said where the new bases are but three of them could be on Luzon, an island on the northern edge of the Philippines, the only large piece of land close to Taiwan - if you don't count China.

China criticised the agreement, saying "US actions escalate regional tension and undermine regional peace and stability".
"The United States, out of its self interests and zero-sum game mentality, continues to step up military posture in this region," its embassy said in a statement.

These days the US is seeking access to places where "light and flexible" operations involving supplies and surveillance can be run as and when needed, rather than bases where large numbers of troops will be stationed.

In other words, this is not a return to the 1980s, when the Philippines was home to 15,000 US troops and two of the largest American military bases in Asia, at Clark Field and nearby Subic Bay.

Then in 1991 the Philippine government called time. The Filipinos had recently overthrown the hated dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, and sending the old colonial masters home would further cement both democracy and independence.

The Vietnam war was long over, the Cold War was winding down, and China was as yet a military weakling. So, in 1992, the Americans went home - or at least most of them did.

Roll forward 30-odd years and another Marcos is back in the Malacañang Palace.

More important, China is no longer a military weakling, and it's knocking on the Philippines' front door. Manila has watched - horrified but powerless to intervene - as Beijing has set about redrawing the map of the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea as Manila insists on calling it. Since 2014 China has built 10 artificial island bases, including one at Mischief Reef, deep inside the Philippines' own exclusive economic zone or EEZ.

Up to then relations between Manila and Beijing had been free of major problems, says Herman Kraft, a political science professor at University of the Philippines.

"We had a live and let live situation in the South China Sea. But in 2012 they tried to seize control of Scarborough Shoal. Then in 2014 they began building the islands. The land grab by China changed the relationship."

"We have very limited capability against the threat from China," says former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr.

He says the Chinese have repeatedly broken promises not to militarise their new South China Sea bases.

"The Chinese have militarised those features and that puts more of our territory under threat. Only the US has the power to stop them. The Philippines cannot do it alone."

But this time there will not be thousands of US marines and airmen filling the red-light districts of Olongapo or Angeles city again.

Olongapo, close to a US naval base, was a hub for the illegal sex trade in the 1970s
The history of violence and abuse by US troops in the Philippines is still a sensitive subject. There are an estimated 15,000 children left with their Filipino mothers when their American fathers went home.

"We have a long history of inequality in our relationship," says Renato Reyes, secretary general of New Patriotic Alliance, a left-wing group. "The Philippines has been forced to shoulder the social costs. There's a history of rape, child abuse, and of toxic waste."

The US' return to the Philippines is strongly opposed by the country's left-wing groups.

While there won't be as many troops as earlier, Washington is now asking for access to several new locations, some facing the South China Sea, others facing north towards Taiwan. Unofficial reports point to options in Cagayan, Zambales, Palawan and Isabela.

The first one faces Taiwan, the second the Scarborough shoal, and the third the Spratly Islands. Any new US facilities will be inside existing Philippine bases. US troops will come in small groups and on rotation.

The aim, says Mr Poling, will be to deter further territorial expansion by China in the South China Sea, while also providing a place for the US to watch Chinese military movements around Taiwan.

"The Philippines has no way to deter China outside this alliance," he says. "It's buying BrahMos missiles from India. The US would like to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles. Together they can hold Chinese vessels."

With increasing concern about a conflict over Taiwan, the Philippines could offer a "rear access area" for US military operations, or even a place to evacuate refugees.

"People forget there are between 150,000-200,000 Filipinos living in Taiwan," Mr Poling says.

Left-wing groups oppose a US military presence in the Philippines

But Manila is not about to become a full-blown member of an American alliance to challenge or resist China's rise, Professor Kraft cautions.

"The Philippines is not doing those things like Australia and Japan, directly challenging Chinese interests in the South China Sea or East China Sea. President Marcos wants good relations with the US. But he also wants good relations with China for economic advantage."

Beijing too has indicated that it does not intend to allow a new base agreement between Manila and Washington to disrupt its relations with its neighbour.

In an editorial published to coincide with the arrival of the US defence secretary in Manila, China's state-run Global Times accused the US of "setting a trap for the Philippines" and "trying to push the Philippines to the frontline of confrontation with China".

"We are once again being caught in the middle," says Mr Reyes, who believes China is just as much a capitalist imperialist power as the US.
"The Philippines still has a colonial mentality - it looks to the United States as its big brother."

US secures deal on Philippines bases to complete arc around China

Washington now has more access to Philippines military bases facing the South China Sea and Taiwan.

www.bbc.com

_________________________________________
In my opinion I think it's a smart decision to allow US troops to use those bases. I think Philippines should ensure/seek some sort of financial support to establish life, populization of some of the islands in the Spratley's to Establish life and Tourism in that Area.

Caught in the middle, maybe but US is far away while China is close by so while it will cost US more to keep foothold in SEA, China is already expanding their domaing by landgrabbing. So I think the US is the lesser evil here.

 

[Gary]

In my opinion I think it's a smart decision to allow US troops to use those bases. I think Philippines should ensure/seek some sort of financial support to establish life, populization of some of the islands in the Spratley's to Establish life and Tourism in that Area.

Caught in the middle, maybe but US is far away while China is close by so while it will cost US more to keep foothold in SEA, China is already expanding their domaing by landgrabbing. So I think the US is the lesser evil here.

A little bit more ... Philippines is key to US planned missile ring around China.

Tightening the Chain: Implementing a Strategy of Maritime Pressure in the Pacific | Center for International Maritime Security

cimsec.org

 

[Saithan]

A little bit more ... Philippines is key to US planned missile ring around China.

Tightening the Chain: Implementing a Strategy of Maritime Pressure in the Pacific | Center for International Maritime Security

cimsec.org

Which means the US will keep PAF weak enough to need the US, but strong enough to deal with internal issues. We know this game.

 

[Madokafc]

Which means the US will keep PAF weak enough to need the US, but strong enough to deal with internal issues. We know this game.

PAF is curious case though, they are, errr, several times the US offered them EDA for fighter or giving offer for discounted fighter like F-16 and F-18, but the Philippine is always insist for grant of new units instead or asking the US to financing the overhaul the offered secondhand aircraft before transfer as they don't want to spend a penny at all. There is also US effort to give easy deals for PAF, just like the recent transfer of Blackhawk, as the US actually subsidized the cost, and other case. From what i know, the Phillipine government is actually miser when we are talking about defense spending and they are not keen to paid fully for the system especially from their supposed Allies and close friend like US and Japan.

 

[Gary]

Which means the US will keep PAF weak enough to need the US, but strong enough to deal with internal issues. We know this game.

The Philippines never really show the willingness. its as if they're comfortable with the state of their armed forces. If they are weak, its because they chose to do so.

 

[Saithan]

PAF is curious case though, they are, errr, several times the US offered them EDA for fighter or giving offer for discounted fighter like F-16 and F-18, but the Philippine is always insist for grant of new units instead or asking the US to financing the overhaul the offered secondhand aircraft before transfer as they don't want to spend a penny at all. There is also US effort to give easy deals for PAF, just like the recent transfer of Blackhawk, as the US actually subsidized the cost, and other case. From what i know, the Phillipine government is actually miser when we are talking about defense spending and they are not keen to paid fully for the system especially from their supposed Allies and close friend like US and Japan.

PAF was pretty strong in the 70-80’s but all of that disappeared. I believe the internal corruption has contributed greatly to this. Especially if you see Duterte tried to gloss things over by jumping into the arma of China at the beginning of his term.

The Philippines never really show the willingness. its as if they're comfortable with the state of their armed forces. If they are weak, its because they chose to do so.

I don’t think that is the case. I think the politicians are not prioritizing it and postponing too much. And they won’t give additional budget. If you look at the Peso it’s pretty stable compared to the rolercoaster ride of TL.

 

[Ryder]

The Philippines never really show the willingness. its as if they're comfortable with the state of their armed forces. If they are weak, its because they chose to do so.

Whats the point in being weak?

Literally isis took Marawi until it got rolled back. The way the Filipinos fought showed to us they have lots of gaps that need to be fixed.

If terrorists can do this now imagine China or any other conventional army they face.

Philippines should try to at least keep a strong and modest military.

 

[Gary]

Whats the point in being weak?

Literally isis took Marawi until it got rolled back. The way the Filipinos fought showed to us they have lots of gaps that need to be fixed.

If terrorists can do this now imagine China or any other conventional army they face.

Philippines should try to at least keep a strong and modest military.

Maybe depending on Americans way too much is unhealthy. Philippine security is guaranteed by the American presence in the country, particularly the large US base in Subic. When they expel the Americans in the 90s they struggle to build and maintain acapable armed forces of their own.

 

[Ryder]

Maybe depending on Americans way too much is unhealthy. Philippine security is guaranteed by the American presence in the country, particularly the large US base in Subic. When they expel the Americans in the 90s they struggle to build and maintain acapable armed forces of their own.

They should follow Singapore as an example.

 

[Gary]

PAF was pretty strong in the 70-80’s but all of that disappeared. I believe the internal corruption has contributed greatly to this. Especially if you see Duterte tried to gloss things over by jumping into the arma of China at the beginning of his term.

I'd say the PAF of that time is decent for Southeast asia , but not particularly superlative.

a fleet of 25 F-8s, 43 F-5As but 0 ground based radar, by the time the Clark AFB was vacated by the Americans, they were left with no operational GCI radar. Without the radar the F-5s and F-8s operation were severely hampered as both are interceptors that depends on ground radar vectoring. [1]

And because they depended too much on American assistance, maintenance is an issue, by 1988 the F-8 are all but grounded due to declining operational readiness, after only 11 years of service, and by early 90s only a squadron F-5As are combat ready. [2]

Then there's the issue of PAF not investing much in its weapons. 1970-80s Southeast asian country has transitioned to the more modern AIM-9P2s and P-4s while PAF stays with AIM-9B model.

 

[rai456]

Maybe depending on Americans way too much is unhealthy. Philippine security is guaranteed by the American presence in the country, particularly the large US base in Subic. When they expel the Americans in the 90s they struggle to build and maintain acapable armed forces of their own.

Under the US-Philippines mutual defence treaty the US is leagally obliged to defend the Philippines. However depending too much on the US to protect Philippines soverign territory is dangerous. I'm not sure the US would risk thousands of american lives to protect some filipino land. China currently occupies some reefs, has built artificial islands and sends Chinese fishermen to fish in filipino waters with the US unable to prevent it. Recently the Chinese coast guard used a laser to try to prevent the Philippines coast guard from resupplying their base on the Second Thomas Shoal.

Marcos: China laser not enough to activate US defense pact

The Philippine president says the Chinese coast guard’s use of military-grade laser against a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defense treaty with the United States.

apnews.com