Duterte terminates Philippines troop pact, U.S. calls move 'unfortunate'

Yahoo Philippines ^ | 02/11/2020 | Karen Lema, Martin Petty and Phil Stewart

[Starcitizen]

By Karen Lema, Martin Petty and Phil Stewart

MANILA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday announced the termination of a two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States (VFA), delivering on threats to downgrade an alliance important to U.S. interests.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the decision "unfortunate" and said it would be a move in the wrong direction at a time when Washington and its allies were trying to press China to abide by "international rules of order" in Asia.

[mdmathis6]

We have some Freepers that brag about being in the Phillipines and receiving their SS and retirement funds from the US as things are relatively cheaper there, they can live very well. Watch for banking and other pressures to be placed on Americans living and retired there.

Duterte is pissed because we criticized his treatment of a detracting Phillipine senator there so he wants to “show us”! He’s read incorrectly into the political situation in America, thinking that Trump is weak and on the ropes. He’s made a big mistake as I’ve read his military is very much against his actions. Phillipino’s generally like the US so Duterte is isolating himself, like so many crazy strong men do. He can’t run a multi Island nation the way a dictator can run a land locked nation so look for him to push so hard that larger islands decide to break from his grip. China may look to exploit so we’d better be ready to blockade and keep the Chinese out while the Phillipinos sort things out.

[Candor7]

Very bad for the Philippines. But one thing for sure. The Chinese military advisors will eradicate all of the Muslim terrorists now at work there.

But the fact is that our Navy will always have a presence in and around the Philippines. Its really business as usual.

Duarte will want back. But we may have just moved on.

[buwaya]

Most of the Americans who retired here are actually Filipinos. Some are dual citizens but I believe most aren’t - permanent residents under the Balikbayan program. Philippine governments have been encouraging retirements at “home” for over forty years as the “Balikbayan” program, which has always been immensely popular.

Duterte has always backed off when he got popular flak. As in for instance last month, when in another snit he threatened to make US visitors get visas. But, of course, these US visitors are 90% Filipinos. So as in so many other snits, everyone has agreed to forget the whole thing.

[buwaya]

There is no never in international affairs.

[Swarthy Greek Immigrant]

The USA allied with the dregs (it’s not dredge - learn English like I did to live in America) when the USA chose to ally itself with the Bosnian Muslim and Kosovo Muslim jihadists against the Serbians who are seen as traditional allies with the Russians. I will throw in the USA being allied with the Turks who are responsible for the elimination of Christians from the land that invented the term Christian. Also see the US arming the Mujaheddin jihadists. And I will take Assad ruling Syria over the jihadists he is fighting any day.

So spare me you neocon John Bolton, Bill Kristal inspired propaganda garbage.

[Texas Eagle]

Enjoy your new mooslim overlords, Duterte.

[headstamp 2]

Looks like a Castro wannabe.

[Starcitizen]

Dutae actually wants to give most of Mindanao to Malaysia. See the Bangasamoro Autonomous Region. Controlled by Malaysia. And non-Muslims won’t have a choice or vote.

[Texas Eagle]

Good luck with that.

[steve86]

I’m going to guess he won’t give his own part away — Davao, Davao City.

[MrDaddyLongLegs]

This is the dude who wants to kill all the drug dealers and criminals in Phils yet kowtows to the Chinese Mafia, some hero he is.

[OldGoatCPO]

What occurred in order was the US lease came up for renewal. I recall the rent being something like $300 million annually for Clark AFB and Subic/Cubi. Pinatubo erupted and wiped out Clark. What the volcano didn't destroy was looted in the aftermath.
We decided to close Clark and asked for reduced rent. The Anti-Americans in the Philippine Senate demanded we pay the full amount. Cheney said hell no. When we declined they voted to kick us out. We agreed to leave but in the agreement it stated any permanent structures had be left. The Philippines were advertising the two largest dry docks in Asia would be open for use when the US Navy left. Apparently the Cheney never told them the dry docks float. They did not find out until a story was in the papers showing the docks arriving in Guam. They screamed bloody murder. I love Cheney.
The Philippines do not need the US like it once did and are frankly no longer friendly to the United States although they still love our money. I have family there and go back every few years. They have grown a lot as a nation and are independent.
We only went back because they are afraid of China. I think we have grown too and no longer need to have anymore bases in Asia. But if we did Vietnam would be the better option. Strange our former enemy is friendlier to us then our former ally.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Betcha when someone bullied you in high school you taught them a lesson by beating up their kid sister. ................................... Hey! No way to talk. I had a son bullied by a bigger kid, my son’s younger sister came to his rescue and kicked the crap out of the bully. Don’t mess with little sisters. Today his little niece is a black belt, want to mess with her? Times have really changed.