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Posted on 03/08/2023 6:46:22 AM PST by Jacquerie
Manila apparently ran out of patience.
After a decade of suffering China's aggressive acts against Philippine vessels, fishermen and energy exploration efforts in waters within the archipelago country's Exclusive Economic Zone, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently welcomed an expanded US military presence.
Marcos now has responded to continued Chinese belligerence by granting US forces access to five additional military bases on Philippine territory.
In a direct rebuke to China, two of these new bases are on Palawan, one of the disputed Spratly Islands, which are also claimed, as is much else, by Communist China.
Philippine officials have failed to persuade China to abide by the May 2016 ruling of the Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which said that China had consistently violated the Philippines' rights, guaranteed under the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.... Upon completion of the proceedings, the PCA's 501 page decision sided entirely with the Philippines.
China, by bullying its neighbors, is bringing about what it fears the most: a united phalanx of Asian powers under an American umbrella that is ready to prevent China from expanding to what it claims as its historic land and maritime borders.
Philippine officials have failed to persuade China to abide by the May 2016 ruling of the Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which said that China had consistently violated the Philippines' rights, guaranteed under the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.
(Excerpt) Read more at gatestoneinstitute.org ...
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The real question is does the US want the alliance back on the terms that the Philippines wants. They aren’t going to get what they had when they terminated the alliance - a generously subsidized Welfare system.
The Philippines is one of the most corrupt and lazy societies on Earth. Why would the US want to ally with them?
Great. All we need now is a president and a congress who aren’t on China’s payroll and they’ll really be in for it.
Palawan is one of Philippines largest islands. I don't believe anyone, even China, does not recognize it is part of Philippines.
Same reason now as 100 years ago.
The Filipinos need to give more
That’s why Subic Bay was closed. The amount of government property being stolen was astronomical.
Subic Bay was closed because the Philippines wanted to more than double the agreed upon rent by the United States and the US refused. It had nothing to do with property loss due to theft.
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Palawan is not a “disputed” island. It belongs to the Philippines. Period.
Further, Clark Air Base was destroyed by the volcanic eruption and the whole situation had changed.
They might need to find a more reliable ally than the USA. Biden is not going to go up against China when it really counts IMO.
Which is weird, because the Filipinos who come to the US are some of the hardest working people I know.
You knew they would be back. It Must be humiliating for them but it makes security sense.
Who could replace the US as a sufficient ally to the Philippines?
“Subic Bay was closed”
Oh look, after decades, somebody happened to buy it just before the US Goobermint decided they needed it.
Apr 22, 2022 — The U.S.-based private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management has completed its purchase of the Subic Bay shipyard in the Philippines
Gee, isn’t that just a coincidence.
10% for the Big Guy
“The Philippines is one of the most corrupt and lazy societies on Earth. Why would the US want to ally with them?”
Because the gals are some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet?
Lazy? it’s a cultural thing- Mexico, Spain etc have the same, and other countries too. Rich families own/run everything. Their kids get together to keep the money in The Family. Many only want to be Patrons, not do actual work. A third generation running anything well is exceedingly rare.
Location-location-location...
This is one place where the US military should be building bases and moving in equipment and personnel not in the Ukraine side show which is a nothing burger with no upside and a massive downside in long term US strategic interests.
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