Comment on the return of US bases to the Philippines and
the
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
I was stationed at Clark .
The best base of my career. Never a dull moment. In all honesty, then, as now,
it seems many Filipinos would not mind being the 51st State of The United States Of America .
I know that comment will get feedback. However, the Filipinos that I met with
and worked with on active duty and I meet as a retiree like and
"Respect" the United
States . What most Americans didn't realize
back in "The U.S. Bases" protest days. First, Clark and Subic were Filipino bases with US Forces. Second, some
people in Manila had their "Own
Agenda" and would pay two sacks of rice and 100 pesos to a
"Protester" to catch the bus to Angeles
City to protest Clark .
In the 1980s, 2 sacks of rice and 100 pesos would feed a family two weeks to a
month at least. Thanks to the long presence of US Troops from World War II until
Mount Pinatubo, there are numerous Filipino family members in the United States and Filipino-Americans should be
one of the largest minorities in the US . The international news media
has more of a problem with the Philippines
having been "an American colony" than most Filipinos. Americans
usually known more about The Spanish-American War, than, Filipinos know about
"The Filipino-American War" -- same War, different name. Older
Filipinos remember World War II and the Americans and the Allies who suffered alongside
them in the POW camps. President Aquino had a woman friend in South Korea and The Media loved to ignite
sparks, which "Paid" off in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda
because the Republic
of South Korea United States also responded, but America 's
"Politically Correct" politicians were afraid to have too many
"boots on the ground" for too long because, even if the response was
"Humanitarian" they might be "Criticized" at home or
abroad. If the United States is looking for a location in the Pacific to be
able to relate to and do business in Asia, then, the Philippines is the logical
choice because Filipinos not only speak English they usually understand the
meaning. Many places in Asia do "The
English as a Second Language Classes", but they never really grasp an
understanding or pick up on the cliches. Many Filipinos have been to "The
States" and understand the culture, the ideology and
"Democracy." One advantage that Filipinos have over many Americans
born in the United States --
Filipinos don't take America
for granted. Many Filipinos have had difficult, hard, impoverished lives in the
different provinces on the islands, so if they "Go To The States" --
they always make the best of their time in "The States" and they
almost always find a financial way to help out their families back on the
Philippine Islands. Americans complain their "Dollars" get
"Wasted", well, when those US Dollars sail for the Philippines those dollars "Work Hard"
and help the Philippines '
economy. One of the dumbest mistakes of United States Foreign Policy happened
after The Treaty Of Paris in 1898 when Americans didn't take the opportunity to
"Work" through the "Colony" issue and admit the Philippines as American
States or, at least, a United States
trust territory. I have, no doubt, many Filipinos would love to see the US return. I
have, no doubt, many Americans would love to see the US . As an American retiree living
in the Philippines , you bet
your collar brass I would love to see Uncle Sam back in the Philippines .
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