Aware of the US military bases in Mindanao? What is your opinion on this?
By erickrubio
@erickrubio (624)
Philippines
August 26, 2007 9:35pm CST
All US military bases in the Philippines were withdrawn by 1992 after the Philippine Senate rejected the extension of the lease of said bases in the Philippines.
The withdrawal marked the first time since the 16th century that no foreign military forces were present in the Philippines.
Now, as reported by Focus on the Global South, a Bangkok-based international research that has been monitoring US military activities in the Philippines, the United States is reportedly building a host of projects that appear to be for military use across Mindanao worth at least $14.4 million.
The US Congressional Research Service, an American government body, describes the project as a supply base for military operations throughout the region. However, Pentagon considers them as US military facilities.
Now, what is your opinion on this? Are they slowly coming back?
4 responses
@erickrubio (624)
• Philippines
27 Aug 07
The US Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) had on June 6 awarded a six-month, $14.4-million contract to a certain "Global Contingency Services LLC" of Irving, Texas, for "operations support" for the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P).
The news is at the front page of The Manila Times, August 27, 2007 and at the http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008281274
@rsa101 (37987)
• Philippines
27 Aug 07
Huh! never heard of this if that is true they should let the people know what they are doing. Even our own government should acknowledge this is happening now. Hmmm... on the other hand their presence in the south might discourage some bad elements such as the Abu Sayyaf but it could also mean losing our sovereignty to them again for the second time around.
@erickrubio (624)
• Philippines
27 Aug 07
It's either the government knows all about this or really have no idea about what's going on down South. One probable reason as to why the Americans chose to build their facilities in the South is to hide it from the scrutiny of the Philippine government, the media and the public, in general.
I agree with your statement that with the presence of the Americans in Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao provinces, terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), may be discouraged to do what they normally do - terrorize. The ASG are now limited in the island of Basilan where, just recently, they killed 14 Philippine Marines.
By the way, the ASG were responsible in the hostage-taking of the American couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, wherein the former was killed during the crossfire between the ASG and the Philippine military, who were about to rescue the couple way back in 2002.
Any coincidence as to why the Americans chose to set-up their alleged military facilities within the ASG area?
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
27 Aug 07
I honestly think it would be disastrous if ever they will come back silently and the next thing we know, they have already set-up and build their military bases and start something that will affect us. Maybe when terrorists group happen to spot their base in Mindanao and start firing them, innocent people can get hurt or worse get killed. Unluckily for me, I am living in Northern Mindanao. I don't know the exact location of their base but it is still terrifying to here such news if ever it is true. :( It is advantageous for them because they can be able to hide up in Mindanao if ever there's a war since we have a lot of mountains here. But it is just not safe for those who are living in the area. The government should do something about it.. and fast.
@erickrubio (624)
• Philippines
27 Aug 07
Don't worry. You are in Cagayan De Oro City, right? The exact construction sites are in Jolo, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao provinces and these are quite a distance to your city. Also, I doubt if terrorist groups will ever attempt to fire at them. Terrorist groups may have superior weapons than our own army but will appear inferior to the American weaponry.
Many thanks to your response.
