Philippines says wants more than 'loose change' for U.S. troops deal

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Philippines says wants more than 'loose change' for U.S. troops deal
By: Reuters Staff - 02-15-21
Re: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-p...AF0S8?rpc=401&

MANILA (Reuters) - The United States is providing the Philippines with military aid that amounts to “loose change” compared to other Asian countries, a top official said on Monday, justifying demands by President Rodrigo Duterte for Washington to pay more.

Duterte last week said the United States should fork out more if it wants to maintain a two-decade old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which he unilaterally cancelled last year in an angry response to an ally being denied a U.S. visa.

“If we have very strong ties with a very strong ally then I think it also comes with a higher amount of financial assistance to be given,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque told a regular briefing.

Roque cited a study by the Washington-based Stimson Center, which showed the Philippines received $3.9 billion in U.S. counter-terrorism support from fiscal year 2002-2017 compared to the $16.4 billion for Pakistan over the same period.

“We got $3.9 billion. Is that a huge amount? That’s loose change compared to what other countries were getting,” he said.

The militaries of the two countries enjoy close ties, forged during decades of joint exercises that have boosted the capability of Philippine forces while giving the United States an important strategic foothold in a region where China’s power and influence is growing.

Defence officials from both countries are trying to salvage the VFA, which underpins the Mutual Defense Treaty and an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Duterte has threatened to scrap all of them.

The U.S. embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In December, it said the Philippines received the most U.S. military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region, having received 33 billion pesos ($688.65 million) worth of hardware.

Roque said Duterte was upholding the national interest and not committing extortion, as some critics have said. His demand was for compensation, because the rotating U.S. troop presence put the Philippines at risk.

“Are we correct in asking for payment so they can maintain their presence and equipment (here)? Why not?” Roque said.

Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty

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Little history I dug up on Duterte

Personal note: Duterte is a real slime ball - He's got deep pockets (but never has enough) cash - he's swindled from many over the years since he took office (strong armed it - I mean). He's money hungry and there's never enough of it for him. The People of PI are great people and he treats them like shit when it suits him. He backed away from China building a base because of the past issues with them.

The US has always been upfront with him and his people and this guy will never have enough money. He doesn't dish it out to his people - hell no - it goes into his piggy bank. Blackmail is always present with this guy. I'd toss him a small bone and say hey look we covered your ass during WWII - we've protected your Islands for years and not you want bleed us. What a dirt bag. He took office by force he wasn't really what the People wanted - he's tyrant and they knew it. I hope the US doesn't give him what he wants.

We paid rent when we had Clark AFB and Subic Bay & Cubie Point military stations.

Little history I dug up: Don't know if it's current or not.

History we (the US) captured the Philippine's from Spain in 1898.

At the break of the Spanish-American war, the Filipino leaders saw the war between Spain and America as an opportunity to free the Philippines from the claws of the Spanish colony; hence, supported the United States with military forces including indispensable intelligence.

How did the Philippines gain independence from the US?

U.S. government troops attacked Japanese troops on the island of Luzon on January 9, 1945, and captured the island on August 15, 1945. U.S. government troops captured the island of Corregidor on February 16-27, 1945. ...

The Republic of the Philippines formally achieved its independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946.

a. The Philippine-American War was 1899-1913
b. Then PI told us we had to leave in 1992.
c. We still have a base in Subic Bay PI NAS Cubi Point, PI

How much money does the United States give to the Philippines?

But Philippine security forces could lose their access to U.S. funding should the Philippine Human Rights Act pass. Between 2016 and 2019, the U.S. provided $554 million in military aid to the Philippines.Sep 25, 2020

What countries does the US own?
- American Samoa.
- Guam.
- Northern Mariana Islands.
- Puerto Rico.
- U.S. Virgin Islands.

There's most likely much more about this guy but he wasn't in charge when I was there.
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The PI men are great fighters as many of their women. They don't really get the help from their current leader its more like the 1940's was in the US. The best part of the island is in Duterte's pocket. They really need a leader would will build up their country and bring more in line with todays society. By the way the got some huge snakes, bug's and lots of rain. They need more money spent on their infrastructure but never get.
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They have little fear except when Duterte put the heat on them. Their men are good
fighters and they have good hearts.
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