Including DEFENSE. The Philippines spends almost nothing on its own defense, preferring to ask the US taxpayer to defend its borders from regional threats. Yeah, great model there. Some things are worth spending money on, but why bother when there's someone in the neighborhood willing to bail you out?
” The Philippines spends almost nothing on its own defense, preferring to ask the US taxpayer to defend its borders”
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I think you are confusing past and present.
The US left the Philippines years ago after closing the Subic bay base. It was a big mistake on the part of the Philippines, as they asked the US to pull out.
The US is now working on increasing presence here to counter China and its expansionist plans in the Pacific, as seen by their attempt to claim the Spratly Islands.
They are not coming here to protect the country.
The Philippine army is quite busy as it is, fighting muzies on Mindanao.
US presence here now consist of a US ship that grounded on a delicate coral reef. They will now have to break up the ship to move it.