Veterans’ Day. Speech- No Bases In The Rp

[Call me bubba]

Sunday was the US Veterans day event at the American memorial cemetery.

For those FM who made attendance it was a nice event once again,

now to the story

The United States government is not keen on re-installing its military bases in the Philippines, US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said Sunday.

In an interview at the sidelines of the annual commemoration of Veterans’ Day at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City,

Thomas told reporters that US authorities had no plans to again put up military bases here even though the US military had been engaging the Philippine military in regular joint exercises .

Veterans’ Day. War veterans salute in a ceremony honoring the American and Filipino soldiers who died defending the Philippines during World War II on Veterans’ Day at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig,

He said the US military would just continue training the members of the Philippine military.

“No, we don’t want bases [here in the Philippines]. We never asked for [the return of] the bases,” Thomas said.

“We do a lot of training with the Philippine [military], especially in terms of humanitarian assistance, which is our number one priority.”

The US government is one of the countries extending humanitarian assistance to the Philippines each time it is struck by a calamity.

But a source who refused to be identified said there was still the possibility that US bases would again be established in the Philippines.

“Everything is possible but not likely,” the source said.

Analysts had predicted that the US government would likely put up military bases in the Philippines after US President Barack Obama announced that the US would again focus on the Asia-Pacific region after neglecting it due to its preoccupation in the Middle East.

Washington made known its intention to refocus on the region amid the territorial disputes between China and its neighboring countries including the Philippines.

The US recently increased its military presence in Singapore and Australia.

(humm they must know something that the RP doesnt??)

The Philippine Senate in 1991 voted to shut down the United States’ air force base in Clark, Pampanga, and its naval base in Subic after the American military started pulling out as a result of Mount Pinatubo’s eruption.

The last American forces left in 1992 after President Corazon Aquino ordered their withdrawal following the US government’s refusal to detail their withdrawal plans and its failure to confirm or deny if it had nuclear weapons on its bases.

Still, in 1999 the Philippine Senate ratified the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States, ensuring the conduct of regular military exercises by the US and Philippine military.

Some critics say the treaty is unconstitutional because it allows the US government to retain jurisdiction over its military forces and exempts them from the Philippines’ visa and passport regulations.

Since the treaty’s signing, some 600 US troops have been deployed to the Philippines to help the Philippines in its fight against the Muslim insurgency in Mindanao.

On Sunday, Philippine and government officials trooped to the American Cemetery to commemorate the valor and heroism of the people who fought against the Japanese during World War II.

In his keynote message, Thomas, who’s father also served in Leyte and in Korea after World War II, expressed his gratitude to the American and Filipino soldiers who fought for freedom.

“[They were the] warriors who were responsible for the freedom and democracy we now enjoy,” Thomas said.

http://manilastandar...ses-plan-in-ph/

even a helicopter UH-1 flew over, missed my evac again,,

Edited November 12, 2012 by Pittman apartments Sgn

[Old55]

Just my opinon I hope the US stays out of Philippines. Small joint training OK no more arms aid or large excersises.

[Dave Hounddriver]

The Philippines will not mind if the US does not return to its bases here, so long as they keep sending money for the 'maintenance'