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US Military Gets Access to 4 More Philippine Bases
February 6, 2023
The Philippines is forging closer military ties with the United States, granting U.S. forces access to an additional four military sites. As VOA’s Chris Casquejo explains, the enhanced partnership comes amid rising concerns over an increasingly aggressive China.
Produced by Chris Casquejo
CategoryUSA
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script English(INTRO)
[[The Philippines is forging closer military ties with the United States, granting U.S. forces access to an additional four military sites. As VOA’s Chris Casquejo explains, the enhanced partnership comes amid rising concerns over an increasingly aggressive China.]]
((NARRATOR))
Under a new agreement, the U.S. will gain access to four more Philippine military bases in addition to the five the U.S. already uses. The US has put aside over 82 million dollars to upgrade the infrastructure at the Philippine bases.
((Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defense))
“I just want to be clear. We’re not seeking permanent basing in the Philippines.”
((NARRATOR))
While the locations weren’t announced, Philippine officials in November announced that the U.S. asked for access to military camps in Luzon in the northern part of the Philippines which is close to Taiwan.
((Gregory Poling, Center for Strategic and International Studies))
(Mandatary: Zoom courtesy)
“The Philippines is also setting up their own Marine littoral regiments which will use BrahMos missiles from India, which will have about a 200-mile range. So, you can imagine scenarios in which these capabilities are useful in ranging Chinese vessels doing an amphibious landing of Taiwan or blockading the island.”
((NARRATOR))
The Philippines could also grant the U.S. access to bases in Palawan along its western coast to help respond to disputes in the South China Sea.
((Gregory Poling, Center for Strategic and International Studies))
(Mandatary: Zoom courtesy)
“Modernizing that alliance, networking it more with the Japanese and the Australian alliances, fits perfectly into the US overall strategy of leaning more heavily on its allies and making those alliances more equal.”
((NARRATOR))
China said the U.S. move undermines regional stability and raised tensions in the region. China is now the Philippine’s largest trading partner, and there are concerns the move could prompt Chinese economic retaliation.
((Lucio Pitlo III, Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress))
(Mandatory: Zoom courtesy))
“I think this is where the Philippines will have to work with other countries in ASEAN to make sure that there would be some kind of support from other countries in ASEAN as the Philippines try to do its share in terms of keeping stability in a more turbulent region.”
((NARRATOR))
There is some citizen opposition to an increased military presence in the region. Many protestors say an increased military presence threatens to surrender Philippine sovereignty to the United States.
((Chris Casquejo, VOA News, Washington.)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Topic TagsPhilippines, U.S. military, military bases
NetworkVOA
Expiration DateMarch 8, 2023 16:48 EST
Embargo DateFebruary 6, 2023 16:57 EST
BylineChris Casquejo
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
