What foreign relation issues prompted the Filipinos to drive Americans away and close two huge military bases?

Question

Were there only college students protesting or did the crowd look more like the masses during the "people power" of a few years back?

Answer 1

"The original Military Bases Agreement of 1947, amended in 1959 and again in 1979, was scheduled to expire in 1991 unless an extension was negotiated. Negotiations for continued United States use of the two major bases in the Philippines--Clark Air Base in Pampanga Province and Subic Bay Naval Base in Zambales Province--had begun in 1990. The tenor of the negotiations changed significantly, however, in 1991, when the end of the Cold War made the bases less important and the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo volcano rendered Clark Air Base unusable. By the end of August 1991, United States and Philippine negotiators had agreed to extend the United States lease of Subic Bay Naval Base for another ten years in return for US$360 million in direct compensation for the first year and US$203 million for the remaining nine years of the lease. But in September 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected the agreement........ Fidel Ramos succeeded Corazon Aquino as president of the Philippines on June 30, 1992, after winning a 23.6 percent plurality in the May 11, 1992, general election. Ramos, secretary of national defense in the Aquino administration and handpicked by Aquino to succeed her, narrowly defeated Secretary of Agrarian Reform Miriam Defensor Santiago, who received 19.8 percent of the vote, and former Marcos crony Eduardo Cojuangco, who received 18.1 percent. "



it is notable that the Defensor family now runs the former US Navy golfclub as a private "spa" for weathy koreans, along with a variery of other rackets in the now "privatised" subic freeport.



the main arguments to close subic were absurd: 1) that filipinos would be in a better position to negotiate a better lease, after the lease was terminated, and make more money. 2) that the philippines would be a stronger and more independant nation after ousting the usa military, by building up the AFP (..lol..) 3) 'experts' claimed that US bases were no longer needed, as the cold war and soviet union was over, hundreds of US military bases around the world closed down around the same time, so in this sense the Subic closure was unremarkable. No one considered China a military threat, nor even a significant ecnomic power at that time. What was remarkable about the closure of subic was that it left a power vacuum in the south china sea, that worsened with the further decline of the AFP (rather than the AFP build up promised by the subic base closers). China quickly filled the vacuum that the us navy and declining afp left behind.



The filipino Senate ignored Cory Aquino's "people power" rally of 150,000 supporters.. and refused to put the Subic base issue to a voter referendum... radical anti-usa crackpots protesting against US bases numbered below 100. It is notable that GW Bush scrambled 1 US fighter jet from Clark AFB to support president Aquino in a revolt led by filipino airforce officers in 1989. It is also notable that China agressively siezed several islets and reefs, and claimed all the spratly islands within 2 years following closure of Subic.



Tthe closure of Subic may have been to transfer valuable real estate into the hands of the same anti-usa filipino politicians and thier families that pressed for closure, who now run the nightclubs and other rackets around subic. Many claims are made that subic freeport is now a greater economic asset than was subic naval base.. this is very hard to reckon with arial photos that show subic was one of the busiest seaports and shipbuilding ports in the world when the navy base was there, and today photos show subic nearly vacant, and most of the billion dollar US built facilities are still idle, Due to excess capacity at Subic, there is no logical argument that the US base would have interfered with private development at Subic, or that the private development at Subic could have been developed elsewhere. Maybe some earned a few pesos on the liquidation sale of the former subic base real estate?



Dont' swallow the anti-usa propaganda about how us bases were shamefully over-run with hookers 'back then'. Reality check: yeah there were a few small, discrete adult clubs around the base entrance, as is typical of many bases around the world (except some strict muslim nations). These tiny bars were a downlow sideshow to the large Clark and Subic bases, which were the main event. Now there are hundreds of huge, rowdy, wild and crazy adult 'meat markets' that are the main industry, employment and attraction in these former base towns today. A few years after clark closed, the 100 year old redlight district of ermita was relocated to Angeles city; the adult nightlife, barscene,, 'romance tourism' is now ten times larger, and more profitable, than it was durring the US military era.. also don't swallow the anti-usa bile about pollution, etc.. as filipino politicans demanded money to clean up the bases, instead of a US clean up, and of course pissed away the money and never did the clean ups.

Answer 2

There were always groups in the Philippines that opposed the US having military bases there.

The end of the US having the upper hand started in 1979 when the US relinquished their sovereignty over the bases back to the Philippines. The US was now a guest and effectively began to pay rent for the 2 major bases, Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base.

On June 15, 1991, Mount Pinatubo exploded and Clark Air Base was declared a total loss and plans for a complete closure were started.

Subic Bay was not as hard hit and began to rebuild, and by September 1991 most operations had resumed and dependents were allowed back. But during this time intense negotiations between the governments of the United States and the Philippines began to renegotiate the Military Bases Agreement of 1947. On September 13, 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected the ratification of this treaty, citing a number of reasons for the rejection.

In December 1991, the two governments were again in talks to extend the withdrawal of American forces for three years but this broke down as the United States refused to detail their withdrawal plans or to answer if nuclear weapons were kept on base. Finally on December 27, President Corazon Aquino, who had previously fought to delay the U.S. pullout to cushion the country's battered economy, issued a formal notice for the U.S. to leave by the end of 1992.

Finally, on November 24, 1992, the American Flag was lowered in Subic for the last time and the last 1,416 Sailors and Marines at Subic Bay Naval Base left by plane from NAS Cubi Point and by the USS Belleau Wood. This withdrawal marked the first time since the 16th Century that no foreign military forces were present in the Philippines.

Answer 3

E-1, E-2 and so on through E-9. Then you have WO-1, WO-2 and WO-3. After that, you have O-1, O-2 and so on through O-10. Now, if you want to know what those means, it would depend on the branch of service you are talking about. In the Air Force, you have Airman Basic, Airman, Airman First Class, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant, and finally Chief Master Sergeant. Then the WO's or warrant officers, but there aren't any in the Air Force, used to be, but not any longer. The for officers, you have Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and finally General. Each branch of the military has their own names for each paygrade, but the paygrades are all the same.

Answer 4

Pride. No foreign issues or unhappiness. Ego. The people wanted their land/space back.



They thought they feel invaded. Filipinos forgot that Subic Bay contribute a fairly high percentage economically.



Now the Bay is used by FedEx and UPS. No people, only parcels. Economy has gone down hill since.

Answer 5

During President Corazon C.Aquino's time she used to visit the churches in Cebu and talked with the nuns about situations in Philippines.She knows a lot about what is going on around U.S. military bases here, one thing that made her heart break is the rampant prostitution, sexual abuse including children within and outside the area.

She did everything she can, that made the closure of American military bases in her time.

Some other reasons mentioned above are just secondary.

Answer 6

No foreign relation problems. Just foolish pride, thinking the Philippines can go it alone without outside help from USA.

A big mistake. Look how other countries have prospered with the assistance of US presence. Look at Japan, Germany, South Korea. Even Vietnam is prospering at a great pace after the war by accepting US foreign trade.

While the Philippines is still floundering with problems within and still burdened with small groups of NPA, MILF and Abu Sayyaf. Still negotiating instead of taking over the problem and arresting and convicting. Negotiations with terrorists is a clear case of the "tail wagging the dog".

Answer 7

There were a lot of issues. People have told me American soldiers routinely executed children that would sneak onto the bases to steal and salvage discarded brass at shooting ranges. There was tremendous pollution in and around these bases from illegally stores chemicals and radioactive waste. There were terrible human rights issues involving these bases including rapes, sexual attacks, verbal abuse of local women and harassment, not to mention drugs, prostitution, ugly bar scenes and other "accoutrements" that always follow US military bases around the world. Wherever the US military goes you have young men, often thousands, filled with overdoses of testosterone, filled with propaganda that everyone wants to be American or go to America and conversely people "left behind" are somehow losers living in an inferior culture. Things would be so much better for this country if we had no bases in foreign lands. You just have to go to the Philippines and talk to people to understand how ugly things were when those bases were open. Things are so much better off, for both countries. Think about it. If you could have a new house and a Mercedes car- free- but your Mother and Sister had to be heroin addicts, would you accept the trade?

Answer 8

It was the senators during that time who did not give extension or another contract to the USA for setting up their military bases in the PH.

Answer 9

1. What foreign issues prompted the Filipinos to drive out the Americans?

FILIPINO PRIDE I should say. Like a driver of a car naturally you love to drive your own car one way or another because you bought it. Philippines as often said belong to the Filipinos and naturally they like to handle it like it should be run by the Filipinos. But even if the US and the bases are gone, Philippines is still run by the US with an invisible hand. They have a final say in every Philippines issue at hand. And we have a lasting GRATITUDE to the US. If not for the AMERICANS in WW2 we are probably be a province of Japan. In EDSA one, if not for the intervention of the US against Marcos do you think Marcos will step down in his own volition? I do not think so. Marcos will crash Enrile and Ramos and blood will spill at Edsa then but with the early telephone conversation of Marcos with Reagan, they persuaded Marcos to leave the Philippines and exile in Hawaii to prevent bloodshed in the Philippines.



2. WHY DO YOU THINK MANUEL L. QUEZON SAID the famous line " it is better that the Philippines is run like HELL by the Filipinos than run like HEAVEN by the Americans" because I believe MLQ knows very well that the Filipinos CANNOT RUN A GOOD GOVERNMENT speaking for himself I suppose. He knows very well Filipinos are NOT GOOD MANAGERS. And we do not need to argue because until now our present government is running the country like HELL. And LUCIFER is in every government offices. Remember the "fertilizer scam", the "ZTE scam", "election fraud of Gloria Arroyo and the "hello garci" tapes ...and now the funds of the entire AFP is being siphoned by our beloved GENERALS from the past to the present. And we are talking here of millions upon millions of peso.



WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED AS A USA TERRITORIAL CLAIM and belong to the 52 states of the United States of America then, probably our country is much more prosperous now than this. I know some will say I am not a Filipino. I am a Filipino but we are all going to benefit in this case than our present government who only a few are rich and the rest of the coutnry are poor. If we are a part of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE US do you think there will be corrupt officials in our midst? A few probably but not like this that every officials are corrupt. No agency in the Philippines at present are clean.

Answer 10

The vietnam war was on. Philippine bases were major shipping points. There was so much American Money there the Peso was 16 to the dollar. We were backing a unpopular President. But spending money. And surplus, used, wore out equipment was dirt cheap there. Merchants were prospering. Then the war ended. The bubble burst, And the peso droped to 50 to 1. Lots of jobs disappeared. Overnight. We refused to modernize,the ports, and air ports. So Marcos went out the door. They ask us to leave. Stabilized there government. This took some years for them to do. Had Japan,China. Rebuild Subic and Cube into modern ports. There still upgrading Clark air base. And generally rebuilt. About 5 years ago they reached break even. On job return there. As to what America supplied in the Vietnam years. And have had growth sense there. There is the duty free area, S.&M. Robinson Mall. Fine golf course for business travelers. Good or at least inproved dining. Good University there. They have worked hard. And long. But in hind site I think they were right. Or at least right for the Philippines. So it was economic decisions. Led by the Merchants. They took short term loss. For long term gain. I have not been there for 4 years. Going back the 1st of March. Some I know there are telling me I can get American imported foods there now. Philippines are a vengeful people. They wish me to cook them some real American food with all American ingredients. So they can complain about American cooking. So they were organized protest. And served there pupose. I dont think they were realy about hate Americans. But they needed a policy change. To acomplish. And realised it.