Philippines sees naval port as vital to US

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Philippines sees naval port as vital to US
Tweet Topic Started: Oct 8 2012, 10:24 PM (1,352 Views)
seWer Rat	Oct 8 2012, 10:24 PM Post #1
amateur sewer cleaner Posts: 3,124 Group: Elite Member #87 Joined: August 19, 2004	AFP Monday, Oct 08, 2012 SUBIC, Philippines - The Philippines said Monday a former US naval base facing the South China Sea could play a key role as a hub for American ships as Washington moves to boost its presence in the Asia Pacific. Formerly the US military's largest facility overseas, the ex-Subic Bay naval base north of Manila has been transformed into a freeport and tourism zone since it was shut down in 1992. But a senior Philippine official pointed out that, with the United States planning to shift the bulk of its fleet to the Pacific by 2020 as it focuses on Asia, it would need natural deep water bays to dock its ships and submarines. "Based on US official pronouncements, there is a strategic rebalancing (of its forces) and that means more assets, more aircraft in the Western Pacific," said Edilberto Adan, a former general who heads the government's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) commission. "There are very few ports that can accommodate naval assets and naval carriers, and one of them is Subic. "As the US begins to implement (the shift), Subic will play an important role because it is one of the important facilities that can service their presence in the Pacific." Adan was talking to reporters at Subic Bay aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious Marine Expeditionary Unit assault ship taking part in a 10-day joint exercises with Filipino forces. Subic, along with the nearby Clark Airbase, were key facilities for the United States, the former colonial ruler of the Philippines, during World War II. more at the link
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icefrog	Oct 10 2012, 03:20 AM Post #2
Posts: 6,518 Group: Elite Member #6,941 Joined: July 20, 2011	Philippines sees naval port as vital to US Quote: The Philippines said Monday a former US naval base facing the South China Sea could play a key role as a hub for American ships as Washington moves to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific. Once the US military's largest overseas facility, the former Subic Bay naval base 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Manila has been transformed into a freeport and tourism zone since it was shut down in 1992. But a senior Philippine official pointed out that, with the United States planning to shift the bulk of its fleet to the Pacific by 2020 as it focuses on Asia, it would need natural deep water bays to dock its ships and submarines. "Based on US official pronouncements, there is a strategic rebalancing (of its forces) and that means more assets, more aircraft in the Western Pacific," said Edilberto Adan, a former general who heads the government's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) commission. "There are very few ports that can accommodate naval assets and naval carriers, and one of them is Subic. more: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-sees-naval-port-vital-us-184401193.html
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truegrit	Oct 10 2012, 08:23 AM Post #3
Posts: 2,202 Group: Elite Member #28 Joined: July 23, 2004	are there any islands off Mainland Palawan like the size of Corregidor with which US Forces can develop it as a US Forces Outpost for both US Navy and US Marines?



Santi Kampilan	Oct 10 2012, 08:42 AM Post #4
Member Posts: 756 Group: Regulars Member #7,322 Joined: February 5, 2012	truegrit Oct 10 2012, 08:23 AM are there any islands off Mainland Palawan like the size of Corregidor with which US Forces can develop it as a US Forces Outpost for both US Navy and US Marines? I believe I read it somewhere that the Balabac Island has an existing old runway that the US would like to revive. I think there is also a PNP maritime station somewhere there at the tip of Palawan where the new boats were just given by the US. That is a strategic location for it sits in the mouth or entrance to the Palawan Passage. Edited by Santi Kampilan, Oct 10 2012, 08:45 AM.



truegrit	Oct 10 2012, 02:44 PM Post #5
Posts: 2,202 Group: Elite Member #28 Joined: July 23, 2004	US Forces should develop that island near Balabac since a Runway is already existed and they should stay away from populated area like Subic coz their presence attracts Leftist militant group that can corrupt Politics...



Santi Kampilan	Oct 10 2012, 03:50 PM Post #6
Member Posts: 756 Group: Regulars Member #7,322 Joined: February 5, 2012	Ulugan Bay, in the opposite side of Puerto Princesa is an excellent place to develop to become another Subic Bay. http://mapcarta.com/15706384 The North side facing the Spratly's of the Bay could be an excellent base for the Marines. My fear is it is too close for comfort to St. Paul subterranean and it may loose its luster as one of the Wonders of the World once the area becomes too commercialized. Also, Puerto may become another Olongapo City. Strategically, it is right smack in front of the Mischief Reef and also our Whec ships will be close enough to patrol the Reed Bank if in fact we are able to drill on it.



sarry15	Oct 10 2012, 04:42 PM Post #7
Trainee Posts: 20 Group: Trainees Member #7,847 Joined: October 1, 2012	Isn't there a law that prevents the re-establishment of any US Base in the country... I think that is why our Air Force is transferring to Subic, to accommodate the US visitors that preferred Subic.



Santi Kampilan	Oct 11 2012, 12:10 AM Post #8
Member Posts: 756 Group: Regulars Member #7,322 Joined: February 5, 2012	sarry15 Oct 10 2012, 04:42 PM Isn't there a law that prevents the re-establishment of any US Base in the country... I think that is why our Air Force is transferring to Subic, to accommodate the US visitors that preferred Subic. Yes, that is true. The US Armed Forces will have to operate under the provision of the VFA just as we've done in Edwin Andrews where in they simply operate inside the compound. That is why in Subic the airport will have to be converted to a PAF airbase so that the Americans will be under our control and still within the VFA provision. Same goes to the other places that they have expressed interest to be in, especially in Palawan where they've expressed to be in a few places, an airbase, naval station and a marine base. Welcome Sarry15. Please introduce yourself! Edited by Santi Kampilan, Oct 11 2012, 12:18 AM.



Hong Nam	Oct 11 2012, 01:07 AM Post #9
Bought by China Posts: 6,025 Group: Elite Member #7,580 Joined: July 4, 2012	sarry15 Oct 10 2012, 04:42 PM Isn't there a law that prevents the re-establishment of any US Base in the country... I think that is why our Air Force is transferring to Subic, to accommodate the US visitors that preferred Subic. Loopholes - The VFA has quite a few. I think most people who wanted the US bases retained seem to get some satisfaction about this. But if you ask those who vehemently oppose it and those who voted the US bases out, they can cite these loopholes verbatim. Much more so for any "dedicated, screwed up commie". They will preach it to you like it was gospel and that "fire and brimstone" will come down from heaven if the VFA isn't junked. Here is an example of it: BAYAN (Bunch of A-holes Yapping Absolute Nonsense) has from the onset been opposed to the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement because it violates the Philippines� sovereignty and justifies the prolonged presence of foreign troops on Philippine soil despite the absence of any basing treaty. - The VFA, as it is implemented today, practically reverses many of the victories in the struggle to remove foreign bases from the Philippines. - The VFA does not specify or limit the number of US troops allowed entry into the Philippines. The numbers can range from 10 to 1000 and beyond. - The VFA does not specify or limit the areas in the Philippines that the �visiting� troops can access. With the broadness of the agreement, US troops can access military camps, civilian facilities and even areas of actual armed conflict such as Sulu or Basilan. - The VFA does not specify or limit the duration of the stay of the �visiting� US forces. It is so broad and vague that it allows the continuing, even if rotational, presence of US troops in the Philippines. - The VFA does not specify or limit the activities being undertaken by the �visiting� US forces. The VFA does not explicitly prohibit activities that violate the constitution, such as direct combat involvement of US forces. Neither does the VFA set a limit on the number of activities, including joint exercises and other �approved� activities, that could take place within a year. - The VFA is simply too broad and too vague when it comes to the treatment of �visiting� US forces such that it can mean the US can deploy an unlimited number of troops, for an unspecified duration, anywhere in the Philippines, for a broad range of activities, that may not be limited to �exercises�. Since the �visiting� US troops are not required to present visas like any other visiting foreigner, there is really no way of telling how long they stay, when they leave and when they return. It is our view that the JSOTF-Philippines based in Zamboanga fits the description of what the US military calls a Forward Operating Site. The JSOTF-P headquarters inside Camp Navarro acts as a Forward Operating Site that has a small permanent presence and can support sustained operations. This facility can host a rotational force and pre-positioned equipment. The FOS is often associated with bilateral and regional training exercises and activities. The JSOTF-P occupies a facility that was described by a Mindanao-based human rights group as being �sealed by walls, concertina wire, and sandbags. The actual size of the area could not immediately be seen from the outside. Their communication facilities (satellite dishes, antenna, and other instruments) are visible.� That the JSOTF-P hosts a rotational force is confirmed by no less than Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who recently said that the US troops are NOT overstaying, and that they simply come and go, one batch leaves when another batch enters. While the AFP and other government officials, and even the US embassy, will argue that the US forces are not setting up permanent bases in Zamboanga, we believe this is no longer the critical point. The US, based on its own defense posture review, does not intend to put up the traditional bases akin to Subic and Clark. The thrust is to have as many Cooperative Security Locations and Forward Operating Sites which are more flexible, cheaper to maintain, concealed and thereby less prone to controversy and protest. While the Arroyo government can argue that the structures are �temporary�, we can also argue that these structures have been �permanently occupied� since 2002. The presence of the US troops, even if on a rotational basis, has become permanent. The structures in Camp Navarro have been �permanently occupied� by the US forces, 365 days a year for almost six years now. SO GOES THE PARTY PROPAGANDA... Much like a perpetual barking dog, you eventually learn to ignore and not hear it. BAYAN - Trained dogs. Trained well by their Chinese masters. Full Article Here Edited by Hong Nam, Oct 11 2012, 01:16 AM.
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truegrit	Oct 11 2012, 03:50 AM Post #10
Posts: 2,202 Group: Elite Member #28 Joined: July 23, 2004	The Naval base would be a Joint-military base for US, PN and Allies (Japan, Sokor, Australia) but to be headed and monitored by the Philippines Navy... A naval base specifically made for Visiting Forces ....



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