Opinions
For over 10 years there has been a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.
The United States has many of these agreements with nations around the world. What is different with the Philippine VFA is it was NEVER approved by the United States Congress. So, in fact, it is not recognized as as a treaty in the U.S.A.
This VFA has caused many problems within the Philippines from a U.S. soldier rape case that lasted over two years in the court to U.S. special forces soldiers firing their weapons on local nationals.
Unlike other nations that have military ties to America, the Philippines receives less than 20 million dollars a year in aid from the U.S.. What logistical support the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) receives is “hand me down” obsolete equipment. This is a direct embarrassment to the Filipino people considering the long relationship between the two countries and the sacrifices the Filipino people made supporting American efforts during World War II, Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict.
Although the Mutual Defense Agreement between the two countries says there will be American military support of the Philippines if it is attacked, Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense, stated during a recent visit to the Philippines that the United States would not support the Philippines if China attacked the Philippines over the, current, territory dispute of the Spratly Islands. So much for American support.
So, in the end, this so called treaty is a one-sided agreement to meet American needs of a “forward basing option” for American interests. I somewhat agree that in some cases American interests are the free world’s interests, but, and this is a BIG but, it should never be at the cost of a country’s sovereignty or pride.
The Honorable Miriam Defensor Santiago, Philippine Senator, is pushing a bill in the Philippine Senate to give the United States the option to renegotiate the treaty and approve it in the U.S. Congress or to cancel it and remove all U.S. troops immediately. The Senator is a very “colorful” character in Philippine politics and is sometimes taken lightly but in this case she is 100% on target.
I am a American citizen and served 21 years in the US military. Having said that , I, strongly, believe that the United States government continues to treat its relations with the Philippines as a colonial master “lording over their little brown brothers.”
I have resided in the Philippines for over 14 years and there are many things that irritate me about this country and its people but I can say with complete confidence that the Filipino people, by and large, are a decent and honorable people. A people who may be poor in the physical sense but rich in the spiritual sense. A people who deserve more respect than they are getting from the United States.
The United States is taking advantage of the Philippines in this one-side treaty and with that they are robbing the people of its sovereignty and more importantly its pride.
In my opinion, the best outcome of this situation would be for all American military forces to leave the Philippines immediately and let the politicians renegotiate a balance, fair and honorable treaty that helps each side equally.
The United States needs to get rid of its old colonial mentality and start treating nations, even small, poor nations, as equal partners in a global community.
Hi Everyone, JB here! Thoughts On My Day is a place where I can sort out my thoughts and opinions on current day issues. I will post on everything and anything that attracts my attention - no forbidden topics.Sometimes it will be light and other times it will be serious. Of course, you will agree or disagree...that is what blogging is all about. As for me,I am a very young and happy 60 “something” year old family man. I have lived and traveled in many countries around the world, Having been around awhile, I will, from time to time, post some personal recollections. So,thank you for stopping by and please visit often.
