Posted on 01/12/2016 3:15:59 PM PST by BenLurkin
The Philippines' top court cleared the way for U.S. troops to deploy to the Southeast Asian country, approving a contested defense pact that stands to enhance American power in the region at a time when China is asserting itself more forcefully.
Tuesday's ruling ended months of speculation about the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, designed to revitalize the 65-year-old U.S.-Philippine alliance two decades after American forces pulled out of the country. The 2014 pact had been stalled for nearly two years by a legal challenge.
The Supreme Court's 10-4 decision came hours before U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry held security talks with their Philippine counterparts Voltaire Gazmin and Albert Del Rosario in Washington.
Both countries welcomed the ruling. Mr. Carter said it gives the U.S. new opportunities to work with the Philippines on maritime security.
The goals of the defense accord include "freedom of navigation and freedom of the commons," Mr. Carter said. "The United States has indicated our intention to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, whether it be the South China Sea or anywhere else around the world."
Mr. Kerry said the ruling would allow the U.S. and Philippine militaries to work together more closely and better respond to humanitarian emergencies.
Mr. Gazmin said the two countries' security interests have become "increasingly intertwined."
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Men are men, and women are women. Happens anywhere in the world when military soldiers go to other countries. That having been said, the Philippines is better off with American soldiers than Chinese soldiers. My Chinese-American wife says Chinese men are chauvinist pigs and says they're the worst, she detests them.
I’ve heard that before
My Filipina says the same thing. She really didn't want one. Out in the provinces, I have found, that virtually all the people I meet, are genuinely super nice people. It is a pleasure to be around them. The mountain people are especially nice.
Provincials are ... as Liza says ..”a real”
Seems to be formal recognition of what has been going on for at least the last 10 years. It’s good for both the Philippines and the USA
Go back you will forget those forty years in a day or two..
That and Mount Pinatubo.
see post 29.
They want their ancestral areas to be under sharia law, but the majority in the areas are Christian, who predate them or moved there more recently, say no.
we also have the more radical BIFF and the Abus.
after the bombs in Indonesia they are a bit worried...we alrady are frisked if we go into a mall, and most places have armed security guards.
Right now they are doing gun inspections on the main roads... but that is because it is election year, and our politicians private armies have shoot outs, or they order hits on their opposition.
Are the moros still active in the Phillipines?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.