Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Double Fasten Your Seatbelt by Erick San Juan

The US and Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 13) was formally opened aboard the USS Bonehomme Richard in Subic Bay, Zambales on October 8 and will last until October 18. It is a regularly scheduled exercise hosted annually by the Republic of the Philippines (as reported by different news agencies).

As per news release from the defense department, PHIBLEX 13 is the 29th iteration in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security by ensuring interoperability and readiness of Philippine and US forces.

“This year’s exercise will focus on improving interoperability for humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions which are critical in the Ring of Fire,” US Ambassador to the Philippine Harry K. Thomas, Jr. said.

As if the Philippines has just recently included in the Ring of Fire, 'WTF' that this centuries-old fact had to be mentioned in this year’s PHIBLEX anyway? Is there something new here that we haven’t heard before?

As what US Navy officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Camp Aguinaldo reporters, "that the US military continuously conducts port calls and other military activities in various countries in the region to guard against possible bullying by China".

 “We need to maintain presence in the area so that you will not be bullied by China and Iran,” added the US officer. (Source: tribune.net)

And so another reason is to show support to the AFP (armed Forces of the Philippines) against the bullying of China… and (now) Iran? Why Iran?

Being an ally of Uncle Sam in this part of the Pacific, it is giving me the nightmares. We are like a giant magnet attracting enemies we had acquired in the process of being a pawn to a possible war games.

The big picture is getting clearer now. of how crucial the role of our country to the so-called ‘pivot’ to the Asia-Pacific by Washington and the Pentagon. In my last article. Why Register Your Punches? (can be read @ericksanjuan.blogspot.com), the plan to help our AFP by Uncle Sam was enumerated and the recent development at Subic Bay Freeport is in tune with this plan.

The plan to convert the Subic International Airport complex into a Singapore Sentosa-type family-oriented entertainment and casino resort center has been deferred.

Instead, the airport complex is now being eyed to serve as a forward base for the joint operations of the Philippine Air Force and the United States Air Force Pacific alliance.

The joint operation, according to sources, was aimed at maintaining regional balance in the light of the continuing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. (Source: Joint PH-US base in the works in Subic, Manila Standard Today 10/03/12)

I have written about this possible return of the bases before when some senior legislators from Washington went here and visited Subic. The turn of events since then has culminated into this forward base in Subic. And we have forward operating bases already in Mindanao – “Since 2002, a unit now called the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTFP) has been deployed to the southern Philippines. Contrary to the US and Philippine governments efforts to present the troops belonging to the unit as part of temporary training exercises, this unit has maintained its presence in the country continuously… With various military facilities now being constructed for their use, members of the unit refer to their bases in Mindanao as "forward operating base-11" and "advanced operating base-921". (IN THE DRAGON'S LAIR US prowls for China in the Philippines by Herbert Docena).

And there is more to this so-called forward base, the creation of the CSLs. The "Cooperative Security Locations" are technically run and maintained by Manila or private contractors. The Pentagon considers them "US military facilities that may be activated for pre-positioning logistics support and as venues for joint operations with host militaries during actual combat operations."

From the article of Mr. Docena - the indefinite stationing of US troops in the country - have significantly improved the US ability to operate in and from the Philippines, thereby locking the country firmly within the US global posture.

In effect, we are locked (so to speak) and in the crosshairs for possible retaliation from any country perceived as adversary by Uncle Sam. And the present leadership seems to be oblivious to what is happening to our country.

If there is anything that is unconstitutional here is this so-called forward basing and the establishment of the CSLs (a category of military bases in official US parlance). Lest we forget that our country has strictly prohibited the re-establishment of foreign military bases here after 1991, when the US left Subic and Clark.

Sadly, Uncle Sam will always conveniently seek the MDT and VFA in particular to justify their forward bases here. What a convenience in our expense because our legislators has forgotten to pursue the long-standing review (and possible abrogation) of the Visiting Forces Agreement.

If we keep on repeating history, we will end up the witting cannon fodder and worst, we will not even know what hit us. Why? Because the people in the government who supposed to be protecting this nation’s populace seems to be in the ‘noynoying’ mode, translation – the next election, with the same faces and family names, this country is really going to the dogs.

 Double fasten your seatbelts!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nevertheless, websites Using calamitous hat home business
techniques is penal by especially since dissimilar mass would Get wind punter through unlike substance.
This research was can found a database to Ship out updates more or less limited offers, new jewellery ranges, jewellery ideas and
tips etc. If you're linear a Home Business, the few price of the mental object, the determination that appears at a lower place the headline in the record.

Also visit my web site - www.greecesmostproductive.com

Anonymous said...

If the pages аre repreѕеntеd accurately and without a рroblem.
Trendѕ in Search Engine Optimisation Consultants CoрywritingModern Sеarch Engine Optimisation Consultants cоpуwrіting now involves crafting compelling сontent thаt will cause your гeaԁers to promρt
a геsponse from them. Over а numbег of
features giving users a huge amount оf return on theiг
іnveѕtmеntѕ through thiѕ ροwеrful strategy of on-line marketing.


Hеre is my site ... seo internet marketing

Anonymous said...

Before that time our diet was simple, natural
and good for you at all times. However some new adherents to
The diet may be a great way to start living a
healthier body. 5" hole in the side of the keys and giving each individual key a little bit of salt in your diet, your entire body. It is most easily demonstrated in the laboratory, but increasingly, now that the debacle of IE6 is finally starting to fade, we've got you covered right now! I want to eat such fare.

My web blog; paleo recipes free

Anonymous said...

Cooking for the paleoThe paleo is comprised of lean meats,
seafood, vegetables and fruits. It's quick, it's convenient,
but is rich in protein. She has continued with BG testing, endocrinologist visits, and the first three to five times a week, do
a short, 20-40 minute workout based around high-intensity" interval" training.
One is a local Austin Naturopath.

Here is my blog post paleo diet cholesterol

Anonymous said...

She began the paleo diet challenge is to make
a believer out of the proverbial woods just yet.
If you need to stay away from modified sugars and artificial flavorings.


Feel free to visit my site paleo chicken recipes

Anonymous said...

Wow! In the end I got a weblog from where I be able
to really get valuable information regarding my study and knowledge.


My web site: Air Jordan Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Superb, what a web site it is! This blog presents useful data to us, keep it up.


Feel free to surf to my blog post ... http://wealthwayonline.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.
I am trying to find things to improve my website!
I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

my page: Abercrombie Fitch Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

It's amazing designed for me to have a web page, which is useful in favor of my knowledge. thanks admin

Check out my web site: Air Jordan France

Anonymous said...

It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is
time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

Also visit my site ... Nike Air Max

Anonymous said...

Hi, this weekend is fastidious for me, for the reason that this moment i am reading this
enormous informative article here at my residence.

Here is my page; Abercrombie & Fitch

Anonymous said...

Hey excellent blog! Does running a blog similar to this take a large amount of work?
I've very little understanding of coding however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject however I just had to ask. Thank you!

Here is my website - Nike Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

Good post. I absolutely love this site. Keep writing!


My site ... Abercrombie Bruxelles

Anonymous said...

I have read so many posts regarding the blogger lovers however this
article is in fact a nice article, keep it up.


Feel free to visit my website ... Nike Air Max

Anonymous said...

What's up, after reading this amazing paragraph i am also cheerful to share my experience here with mates.

Look into my web page Abercrombie Et Fitch

Anonymous said...

We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an
impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.


my blog: Abercrombie

Anonymous said...

Hello every one, here every one is sharing such familiarity,
therefore it's pleasant to read this webpage, and I used to go to see this webpage everyday.

Here is my blog post: Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet

Anonymous said...

If you desire to take a great deal from this article then
you have to apply such techniques to your won blog.


my blog post - Authentic Evgeni Malkin Jersey

Anonymous said...

There are a couple of days, you can achieve with a regular good cleanses to lose weight program and adjusting to the body
good cleanses to lose weight. Feeling good allows
us to show up for our lives with energy and strength.


my web page - ways to cleanse your body

Anonymous said...

It's perfect time to make some plans for the future and it's time to be happy.

I have read this post and if I may just I want to suggest you
some attention-grabbing things or suggestions. Maybe you can
write subsequent articles referring to this article. I desire to
read more things about it!

My site ... article source

Anonymous said...

Hey would you mind sharing which blog platform you're working with? I'm planning to start my own
blog soon but I'm having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something completely
unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!


My site ... Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout
of your site? Its very well written; I love
what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with
it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images.
Maybe you could space it out better?

Here is my web-site; diet plans that work

Anonymous said...

2 foot detox bath At the end of the matter. 6 Women don't like me when they get to foot detox bath know each other better. They expect you to get to the place you feel safe which could be your home or the car.

Here is my webpage; liver detox

Anonymous said...

Do feel free to say hello in the comments
any apps you have found your suspect, you must collect the cards and
play a card game! Perhaps this simplicity also makes these video game chairs advantageous to other video game chairs because they are said to be moving towards single-syllable names Cole,
Zane, Eve and May. All of the players displayed.
It doesn't take children long to realize that they can lose the game. In other words: it is not normal to have high amounts of credit card debt.

Feel free to visit my website sales on video games

Anonymous said...

Whats up very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .

. I'll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally? I'm glad
to seek out a lot of helpful information here in the put
up, we'd like work out extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

My site; Solde Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

I was able to find good information from your blog posts.


Also visit my page - Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags

Anonymous said...

Hello would you mind stating which blog platform
you're working with? I'm going to start my own blog soon but I'm having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking
for something unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had
to ask!

Also visit my webpage: Tory Burch Handbags

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this
weblog and I'm impressed! Very useful info specifically the closing part :) I deal with such info much. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

Have a look at my blog post ... Michael Kors

Anonymous said...

Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you're just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can't wait
to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous web site.


Here is my web site :: Louis Vuitton Outlet

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Florida! I'm bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you provide here and can't wait
to take a look when I get home. I'm amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I'm not even using WIFI,
just 3G .. Anyways, great site!

my weblog Wholesale Jerseys

Anonymous said...

Thanks designed for sharing such a nice thinking, article is pleasant, thats
why i have read it entirely

my homepage ... Louis Vuitton Handbags

Anonymous said...

Terrific article! This is the type of information that should be shared across the internet.
Shame on Google for not positioning this submit higher! Come on over
and discuss with my site . Thanks =)

My webpage Borse Di Gucci