WAR Are we returning to Subic Bay?
- Thread starter Jaybird
- Start date
jward
passin' thru
Subic Bay Welcomes Suspension Of PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) Termination
June 2, 2020 Vic Vizcocho 0 Comments US Embassy Manila, US Marines, USNavy, VFA
by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.
Subic Bay Freeport — The suspension of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States has raised hopes on the return of US Military presence in this former US Naval Base.
“From an SBF (Subic Bay Freeport) point of view especially post Covid-19, this is welcome because it means we can continue to be a staging point for Balikatan Exercise, host US and allied ships which will bring much needed income,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma told Subic Bay News.
The USS Boxer, a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Amphibious Assault Ship of the US Navy in Subic Bay during a joint military exercise under the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Ordered terminated by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte over the cancellation of the US Visa of a Philippine Senator accused of Human Rights violations, Duterte reconsidered and ordered the suspension of the effectivity of the termination of the VFA for six (6) months “extendible for another six months.” SubicBayNews file photo by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.
According to a US Embassy statement today (June 2), the Government of the Philippines on Monday, June 1 “notified the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines of its decision to suspend termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
“The United States welcomes the Philippine government’s decision,” the US Embassy said, “our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines.”
On orders of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the Philippines officially notified the United States on February 11 this year that it would be terminating the VFA, which would have been effective 180 days later, or on August 9, 2020.
The March 27, 1999 VFA that allows temporary visits of US troops in the country, mainly for joint military exercises, is anchored on the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, under which both countries have an obligation to support each other in case of an armed attack.
Duterte’s decision to terminate the VFA was widely seen as a knee-jerk reaction on the cancellation of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s US Visa as part of a crackdown on Human Rights violators by the US government. Dela Rosa led Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs” during his stint as the country’s top policeman, and was party to the incarceration of Sen. Leila de Lima on what is believed to be trumped-up drug charges.
US Military personnel and hardware on the way back to their ship docked at Alava Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport after taking part in joint military exercises under the Ph-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Ordered terminated by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte over the cancellation of the US Visa of a Philippine Senator accused of Human Rights violations, Duterte reconsidered and ordered the suspension of the effectivity of the termination of the VFA for six (6) months “extendible for another six months.“ SubicBayNews file photo by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.
Reminiscent of the stay of the US Military in Subic as a US Naval Base beginning in 1899, the largest outside the US Mainland, shutdown in 1992 by the rejection of the Philippine senate of the extension of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) then set to expire, the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as the outlying communities benefit from the VFA in various ways, including ships services, bunkering, supplies, and personnel spending, pumping millions of pesos into the local economy.
US Servicemen also conduct community outreach activities during visits, which include medical and dental projects, school painting and repairs, among others, one reason why the locals here are understandably pre-dominantly “pro-US.”
According to SBMA Chaiman Eisma, “I grew up in Olongapo at a time when the US base was still here and I experienced first hand the impact of such activities to the community.” (VVV)
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June 2, 2020 Vic Vizcocho 0 Comments US Embassy Manila, US Marines, USNavy, VFA
by Vic V. Vizcocho, Jr.
Subic Bay Freeport — The suspension of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States has raised hopes on the return of US Military presence in this former US Naval Base.
“From an SBF (Subic Bay Freeport) point of view especially post Covid-19, this is welcome because it means we can continue to be a staging point for Balikatan Exercise, host US and allied ships which will bring much needed income,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma told Subic Bay News.
According to a US Embassy statement today (June 2), the Government of the Philippines on Monday, June 1 “notified the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines of its decision to suspend termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
“The United States welcomes the Philippine government’s decision,” the US Embassy said, “our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines.”
On orders of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the Philippines officially notified the United States on February 11 this year that it would be terminating the VFA, which would have been effective 180 days later, or on August 9, 2020.
The March 27, 1999 VFA that allows temporary visits of US troops in the country, mainly for joint military exercises, is anchored on the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, under which both countries have an obligation to support each other in case of an armed attack.
Duterte’s decision to terminate the VFA was widely seen as a knee-jerk reaction on the cancellation of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s US Visa as part of a crackdown on Human Rights violators by the US government. Dela Rosa led Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs” during his stint as the country’s top policeman, and was party to the incarceration of Sen. Leila de Lima on what is believed to be trumped-up drug charges.
Reminiscent of the stay of the US Military in Subic as a US Naval Base beginning in 1899, the largest outside the US Mainland, shutdown in 1992 by the rejection of the Philippine senate of the extension of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) then set to expire, the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as the outlying communities benefit from the VFA in various ways, including ships services, bunkering, supplies, and personnel spending, pumping millions of pesos into the local economy.
US Servicemen also conduct community outreach activities during visits, which include medical and dental projects, school painting and repairs, among others, one reason why the locals here are understandably pre-dominantly “pro-US.”
According to SBMA Chaiman Eisma, “I grew up in Olongapo at a time when the US base was still here and I experienced first hand the impact of such activities to the community.” (VVV)
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Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
nobody is stupid >>> they all see China coming their way - the Chinese navy has the largest fleet of dedicated troop moving transports in the world - after the Chinese army invades & conquers everything they can reach without getting their feet wet >>> next comes the Philippines and points south ...
AlfaMan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Having US forces at Subic bay is a huge poke in the eye for the Communist Chinese. Philippine people are pretty pro US and they and China have already had words over the Spratly Islands. Having us there keeps the Chinese at bay in those areas.
Not to mention the economic benefits of US being there.
Another naval base we're starting to use again is Cam Ranh Bay in south Vietnam. Vietnam and China actually fought a war in 1979-Vietnamese kicked their butts. Neither country wants China anywhere near them.
Not to mention the economic benefits of US being there.
Another naval base we're starting to use again is Cam Ranh Bay in south Vietnam. Vietnam and China actually fought a war in 1979-Vietnamese kicked their butts. Neither country wants China anywhere near them.
jward
passin' thru
US Navy Eyes Return To Subic Bay In A Commercial Deal
On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.
Manuel Mogato
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The US nuclear-powered submarine Michigan docked at Subic Bay in Olongapo City on March 25, 2014. The Michigan, one of the largest submarines in the world, arrived with more than 150 crew members to conduct humanitarian projects in nearby communities as well as for rest and recreation. Photo by EPA
The United States Navy is planning to return to its former base in the Philippines under a commercial deal, the Philippine Navy chief said on Sunday, May 10, after an American equity firm and an Australian shipbuilder expressed keen interest in taking over the Subic shipyard from a bankrupt South Korean company.
Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said the two companies are in the final stages of negotiations with the Philippine government and several banks to take over the operations of Hanjin. The companies reportedly intend to invest about $2 billion and employ the shipyard’s over 30,000 skilled and experienced Filipino workforce.
Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd has won a contract to deliver six offshore patrol vessels for the Philippines Navy while US private equity Cerberus will operate the other half of Hanjin’s facility for ship repair.
“I was told the companies were about to complete due diligence and final negotiations before the outbreak of the coronavirus, which could delay the process,” Bacordo said.
The Philippine Navy chief said it could take more than a year before the shipyard could become operational under the new owners because the facilities would be repurposed from producing huge civilian supertankers to warships.
Bacordo said Cerberus is the mother company of Dyna Corporation, a large private contractor of the US Navy, servicing US warships and building facilities at naval bases.
“There is a possibility the US Navy will move back its ship repair facility to its old home in Subic if the deal goes through,” he said, adding that Subic offers an ideal strategic location with cheaper and skilled labor.
“Many of the workers in Hanjin had also worked in the US Navy base. Subic has one of the best port facilities in the world, with deep and secure harbors,” Bacordo noted.
He said both the American and Australian companies would like the Philippine Navy to set up a naval base in Subic. “We will have about 100 hectares to develop as a naval facility for ship repair,” he said.
The two companies, Bacordo said, are also interested in two small islands in Subic that Chinese companies had earlier planned to lease and convert into tourism areas.
The Chinese companies had signed agreements in April 2019 during President Duterte’s visit to China for the lease of three islands in the Philippines, but this was blocked by the Navy.
“We prefer close allies to take over Subic,” Bacordo said, explaining that the Navy opposed the Chinese companies’ plan because of its implications on national security.
A Chinese company has also expressed interest in taking over Subic, fierce lobbying by Washington reportedly blocked this.
Hanjin, a unit of South Korean giant Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, used to operate the shipyard in the former US naval base in Subic Bay.
But Hanjin defaulted on $1.3 billion in loans last year. The bulk of the loan, about $900 million, is owed to South Korean banks and the rest to five local banks.
Even before the American and Australian companies expressed interest in Hanjin’s shipyard, US Navy ships have been making port calls in Subic, including massive aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered attack submarines.
On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.
Investors have expressed concern after the Philippines revoked the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a key military accord allowing US military presence in the country for exercises and training.
But Philippine officials have assured Australian and American investors that the commercial deal would not be affected by the scrapping of the VFA.
Subic Bay was one of the largest US naval facilities in the world before it was shut down in 1992 after the Philippine Senate terminated the bases agreement with Washington.
The Philippines converted the facility, which was never home to the Philippine military, into an economic zone.
Members of the Philippine Navy prepare an emergency quarantine facility that they put up in Taguig City for coronavirus disease 2019 cases, on April 1, 2020. Photo by KJ Rosales, The Philippine STAR
US offers attack helicopters
Washington has also approved the possible sale of Bell and Boeing attack helicopters to Manila, its long-time security ally and former colony, despite soured relations due to the scrapping of the two-decade-old VFA.
In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said it had notified the US Congress after the US State Department gave its go-signal for the sale of six Boeing Apache AH-64E and six Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters worth close to $2 billion (P100 billion).
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” DSCA said in a statement. “The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The Philippines has allocated P300 billion to upgrade its military capability to catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbors and protect its national interests, particularly in the disputed South China Sea.
It planned to acquire attack helicopters separately for the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army, earmarking P13.8 billion for an unspecified number of attack helicopters for the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing.
Two years ago, the PAF’s technical working group selected the T129 ATAK helicopter manufactured by Turkey, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
But the deal with Turkey hit a snag last year as it could not guarantee to deliver certain US-made components for the T129 ATAK helicopter after Washington slapped sanctions on Ankara when it decided to acquire Russian missiles.
Sources at the defense department said the PAF chose the Turkish helicopter over the American and Russian Hind and Havoc, respectively, due to high costs and interoperability of the equipment.
The T129 ATAK is not only much cheaper but its US components would make it compatible with US-made helicopters, which the Philippine military is familiar with.
Recently, US defense manufacturers amended their proposals, making both Apache and Viper more affordable and sweetening the deal by offering additional units of refurbished helicopters.
Both Boeing and Bell are eyeing the Philippine market, hoping they can sell equipment not only for the PAF but for the Army as well. In fact, the US Army has offered second-hand and older versions of the Apache helicopters.
The DSCA said the proposed sale would help the Philippines develop and maintain strong capabilities for self-defense, counterterrorism and critical infrastructure protection. “The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces,” it added.
The Arizona-based Boeing offered 18 AH-64E engines, including six spares, as well as full armaments of 200 air-to-ground or AGM-1140 Hellfire missiles; 12 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles; 300 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits; 18 new Stinger air-to-air launchers; 5,000 2.75 inch rockets; 80,000 rounds of 30mm ammunition; and radars, communications and targeting system worth $1.5 billion.
“There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the DSCA said.
Members of the Philippine Air Force use the presidential plane to transport COVID-19 equipment. According to the PAF, all of its available air assets, including the Fokker-F28 presidential aircraft, are being utilized to transport medical supplies, equipment and food across the country amid the COVID-19 health crisis. Photo courtesy of PAF
Boeing will partner with Florida-based Lockheed to manufacture the attack helicopters and offer them under the US State Department’s Foreign Military Sales program.
Bell’s offer includes 14 AH-1Z Viper engines, including two spares; six air-to-ground AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles; 26 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits; and radars, avionics and communications worth $450 million.
The Viper will be manufactured at Bell’s Texas plant in partnership with General Electric.
The US State Department allowed defense contractors to travel several times to the Philippines to participate in program and technical reviews, training and maintenance support for a temporary period of 24 months.
The US renewed its interest to sell military equipment to the Philippines despite the cancellation of the VFA in February. The VFA allowed US military presence on rotation basis for training and exercises in the Philippines.
Two years ago, Duterte scrapped a Bell contract to supply combat utility helicopters after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the Philippine leader’s human rights record, forcing the PAF to return to the drawing board.
Duterte has also stopped the defense and interior departments from acquiring weapons systems from the US and other western countries for linking arms sales to human rights records.
Last year, the defense department offered the supply contract for combat utility helicopters to Poland-based PZL Mielec, which makes Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters. PZL Mielec is part of US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The Polish firm joined the tender for attack helicopters, offering the Battle Hawk helicopter, a variant of its S-70i aircraft.
The PAF has to make a decision on which attack helicopter to acquire as Turkey cannot guarantee to deliver six TAI 129 ATAK.
An Army colonel familiar with the attack helicopter said a decision has to be made in two months because the funds for the project would revert to the treasury if it is not obligated by December 2020.
The Philippines has been looking for funding after realigning its P4.1-trillion budget for 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
www.onenews.ph
On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.
Manuel Mogato
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The United States Navy is planning to return to its former base in the Philippines under a commercial deal, the Philippine Navy chief said on Sunday, May 10, after an American equity firm and an Australian shipbuilder expressed keen interest in taking over the Subic shipyard from a bankrupt South Korean company.
Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said the two companies are in the final stages of negotiations with the Philippine government and several banks to take over the operations of Hanjin. The companies reportedly intend to invest about $2 billion and employ the shipyard’s over 30,000 skilled and experienced Filipino workforce.
Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd has won a contract to deliver six offshore patrol vessels for the Philippines Navy while US private equity Cerberus will operate the other half of Hanjin’s facility for ship repair.
“I was told the companies were about to complete due diligence and final negotiations before the outbreak of the coronavirus, which could delay the process,” Bacordo said.
The Philippine Navy chief said it could take more than a year before the shipyard could become operational under the new owners because the facilities would be repurposed from producing huge civilian supertankers to warships.
Bacordo said Cerberus is the mother company of Dyna Corporation, a large private contractor of the US Navy, servicing US warships and building facilities at naval bases.
“There is a possibility the US Navy will move back its ship repair facility to its old home in Subic if the deal goes through,” he said, adding that Subic offers an ideal strategic location with cheaper and skilled labor.
“Many of the workers in Hanjin had also worked in the US Navy base. Subic has one of the best port facilities in the world, with deep and secure harbors,” Bacordo noted.
He said both the American and Australian companies would like the Philippine Navy to set up a naval base in Subic. “We will have about 100 hectares to develop as a naval facility for ship repair,” he said.
The two companies, Bacordo said, are also interested in two small islands in Subic that Chinese companies had earlier planned to lease and convert into tourism areas.
The Chinese companies had signed agreements in April 2019 during President Duterte’s visit to China for the lease of three islands in the Philippines, but this was blocked by the Navy.
“We prefer close allies to take over Subic,” Bacordo said, explaining that the Navy opposed the Chinese companies’ plan because of its implications on national security.
A Chinese company has also expressed interest in taking over Subic, fierce lobbying by Washington reportedly blocked this.
Hanjin, a unit of South Korean giant Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, used to operate the shipyard in the former US naval base in Subic Bay.
But Hanjin defaulted on $1.3 billion in loans last year. The bulk of the loan, about $900 million, is owed to South Korean banks and the rest to five local banks.
Even before the American and Australian companies expressed interest in Hanjin’s shipyard, US Navy ships have been making port calls in Subic, including massive aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered attack submarines.
On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.
Investors have expressed concern after the Philippines revoked the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a key military accord allowing US military presence in the country for exercises and training.
But Philippine officials have assured Australian and American investors that the commercial deal would not be affected by the scrapping of the VFA.
Subic Bay was one of the largest US naval facilities in the world before it was shut down in 1992 after the Philippine Senate terminated the bases agreement with Washington.
The Philippines converted the facility, which was never home to the Philippine military, into an economic zone.
US offers attack helicopters
Washington has also approved the possible sale of Bell and Boeing attack helicopters to Manila, its long-time security ally and former colony, despite soured relations due to the scrapping of the two-decade-old VFA.
In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said it had notified the US Congress after the US State Department gave its go-signal for the sale of six Boeing Apache AH-64E and six Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters worth close to $2 billion (P100 billion).
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” DSCA said in a statement. “The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The Philippines has allocated P300 billion to upgrade its military capability to catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbors and protect its national interests, particularly in the disputed South China Sea.
It planned to acquire attack helicopters separately for the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army, earmarking P13.8 billion for an unspecified number of attack helicopters for the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing.
Two years ago, the PAF’s technical working group selected the T129 ATAK helicopter manufactured by Turkey, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
But the deal with Turkey hit a snag last year as it could not guarantee to deliver certain US-made components for the T129 ATAK helicopter after Washington slapped sanctions on Ankara when it decided to acquire Russian missiles.
Sources at the defense department said the PAF chose the Turkish helicopter over the American and Russian Hind and Havoc, respectively, due to high costs and interoperability of the equipment.
The T129 ATAK is not only much cheaper but its US components would make it compatible with US-made helicopters, which the Philippine military is familiar with.
Recently, US defense manufacturers amended their proposals, making both Apache and Viper more affordable and sweetening the deal by offering additional units of refurbished helicopters.
Both Boeing and Bell are eyeing the Philippine market, hoping they can sell equipment not only for the PAF but for the Army as well. In fact, the US Army has offered second-hand and older versions of the Apache helicopters.
The DSCA said the proposed sale would help the Philippines develop and maintain strong capabilities for self-defense, counterterrorism and critical infrastructure protection. “The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces,” it added.
The Arizona-based Boeing offered 18 AH-64E engines, including six spares, as well as full armaments of 200 air-to-ground or AGM-1140 Hellfire missiles; 12 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles; 300 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits; 18 new Stinger air-to-air launchers; 5,000 2.75 inch rockets; 80,000 rounds of 30mm ammunition; and radars, communications and targeting system worth $1.5 billion.
“There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the DSCA said.
Boeing will partner with Florida-based Lockheed to manufacture the attack helicopters and offer them under the US State Department’s Foreign Military Sales program.
Bell’s offer includes 14 AH-1Z Viper engines, including two spares; six air-to-ground AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles; 26 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits; and radars, avionics and communications worth $450 million.
The Viper will be manufactured at Bell’s Texas plant in partnership with General Electric.
The US State Department allowed defense contractors to travel several times to the Philippines to participate in program and technical reviews, training and maintenance support for a temporary period of 24 months.
The US renewed its interest to sell military equipment to the Philippines despite the cancellation of the VFA in February. The VFA allowed US military presence on rotation basis for training and exercises in the Philippines.
Two years ago, Duterte scrapped a Bell contract to supply combat utility helicopters after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the Philippine leader’s human rights record, forcing the PAF to return to the drawing board.
Duterte has also stopped the defense and interior departments from acquiring weapons systems from the US and other western countries for linking arms sales to human rights records.
Last year, the defense department offered the supply contract for combat utility helicopters to Poland-based PZL Mielec, which makes Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters. PZL Mielec is part of US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The Polish firm joined the tender for attack helicopters, offering the Battle Hawk helicopter, a variant of its S-70i aircraft.
The PAF has to make a decision on which attack helicopter to acquire as Turkey cannot guarantee to deliver six TAI 129 ATAK.
An Army colonel familiar with the attack helicopter said a decision has to be made in two months because the funds for the project would revert to the treasury if it is not obligated by December 2020.
The Philippines has been looking for funding after realigning its P4.1-trillion budget for 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
US Navy Eyes Return To Subic Bay In A Commercial Deal | OneNews.PH
On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.
ivantherussian03
Veteran Member
Maybe...maybe not
I don't think it will work in the long run because Duterte is too unstable.
But right now, sailors everywhere past and present are happy.
Wonder if they'll start the school back up for Filipina girls getting married to US military?
Old time Subic bar life song
The Ballad of Subic Bay Time 2:40
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFQn4dc4GAY
But right now, sailors everywhere past and present are happy.
Wonder if they'll start the school back up for Filipina girls getting married to US military?
Old time Subic bar life song
The Ballad of Subic Bay Time 2:40
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