Footnote of a Q & A

The American Bases in the Philippines was shut down in 1991 which was the same year Mt. Pinatubo erupted on the same location as the bases.

On 09 November 1989 (11/9), the Berlin Wall (the symbol of the Iron Curtain) was officially collapsed in Germany ending the policies of Communism.

Prior to 1989, there are only two super powers: The United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and there was a Cold War.

The Military installation of United States in the Philippines is vital to America's interest during the Cold War. Should the "cold war" become hot; the United States can easily launch airstrike to Russia with planes originating from its bases in the Philippines. It is also for the same reason why the United States supported the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos during that time.

Question: Earlier this year, there was a controversy in Philippines about the United States reopening a base in your country.  Do you think the United States should have a military presence in your country

Two years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Cold War was over. The Communist block is no longer a threat to American interest. Maintaining Bases in the Pacific would be costly for the Americans thus it needs to be shut down.

On 11 September 2001 (9/11), the United States was attacked by Al
Qaeda, a group of radicals based on the Middle East. There was a new threat. In Asia Pacific, a once poor country is becoming powerful in the region and its name is China and it is the "Factory of the World."

Oil is energy and energy is power. Spratly Island which was reputed to have vast oil reserves is being claimed by Philippines, Vietnam and China. China has already built installation in the island. Philippines filed its complaint at the International Tribunal Court to settle the occupation. But during Gloria Arroyo's regime, Philippine made substantial loans from China to fund the Metro rail project. Analysts are saying that in exchange of those loans, Philippines have to give up its claims towards Spratly's thus those Chinese installations have risen.

By allowing United States to open up its bases again in the Philippines is a double whammy for China. For the United States, it is a strategic point to tackle radicals in the region and it will dilute China's supremacy in the Asia Pacific region. For the Philippines, because of its poor military capability would then be beneficial in somehow alleviating the tension in West Philippine Sea and if successful in its claim for Spratly, the United States would become its partner in drilling operation. If that happens, the U.S. can
then abandon purchasing oil from countries where they have enemies (i.e, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia). It's a win - win situation.