Posted on 05/05/2023 6:29:55 PM PDT by Mariner
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday that granting U.S. access to Philippine military bases was a defensive step that would be "useful" if China attacked Taiwan.
Marcos, speaking at the end of a four-day visit to Washington that included a summit with President Joe Biden and an agreement to update the countries' nearly 72-year defensive alliance, did not respond directly when asked whether the United States could place weapons at the bases if China attacked Taiwan.
Marcos told Reuters the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) reached with the United States in 2014 was originally conceived to improve disaster responses.
"Now there's an additional aspect to it," he said. "And that is … tensions across the Taiwan Straits seem to be continuing to increase. Then the safety of our Filipino nationals in Taiwan becomes of primordial importance."
"And so these EDCA sites will also prove to be useful for us should that terrible occurrence come about," he added, referring to an invasion of Taiwan.
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It's probably the most strategically important real estate in the world today.
And the ONLY chance the US has of protecting strategic resources in the South China Sea. Okinawa is just not enough. But PI and Okinawa combined ensure tactical employment of US air power is a genuine threat to any crazy ideas China may be harboring.
Understatement is good. Generally.
Don’t forget our agreements with Thailand for forward positioning; however, because Thailand has good relations with China such use would likely not be granted.
The Olongopo whores will be thrilled.
“The Olongopo whores will be thrilled.”
It has been thirty years since we had to close our two main bases, Clark and Subic Bay. Therefore I expect a new generation of bar girls to show up next time. And no one knows yet if the bases we use will be in the same place.
A new generation of Subic bargirls!
God, I would sure hope so. The bargirls I remember would be toothless great granmas by now.
No reason not to. The infrastructure is in place - runways, taxiways and ramps. Can refuel by truck if the fuel farms can't be resurrected.
But, yes - if it makes sense, the current admin won't do it.
“The Olongopo whores will be thrilled.”
Please, you’re speaking of some of my favorite people, you should call them ladies or friends of our fighting men.
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