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US converting Subic into a base, miffed Duterte tells Robredo
The Americans are fortifying their foothold in Subic, slowly converting the once military hub into a base anew, which could put the Philippines in the center of conflict should it erupt, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday.
In his televised weekly Cabinet briefing, Duterte said this is a development not known to Vice President Leni Robredo, whom he criticized for appearing friendly with the United States.
Last week, the president said the US government should pay
the Philippines if it wants the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to continue in the country.In reaction, Robredo said Duterte was like extorting money from the US by seeking payment for the conduct of activities in the Philippines under the VFA, such as war games.
“Alam mo ba ma’am, as president do you know there are so many depot, maraming armas dito na nakalagay sa Pilipinas ang Amerika. Do you know they are slowly converting Subic into an American base,” Duterte said.
“Wala ka sigurong alam. These are things knows to us because I have reports and assessment given to me by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), he added. “Ang unang tatamaan kung nagkagera ang Amerkano sa Pilipinas, alam mo, the meltdown will start in Palawan, it’s the province facing Spratly.”
The chief executive added: “In worst case scenario, kung may isang gago dyan na magpaputok ng rocket gulo na yan, and the Philippines will be drawn into the vortex of the conflict that is called war.”
Duterte reiterated the 1987 Constitution “provides that foreign relations or foreign policy is vested on the president alone.”
“She’s (Robredo) a lawyer and she forgets that the Constitution says that is my function, it is not their function at kung ano ang gusto kong sabihin para sa bayan may purpose ‘yan,” he said.
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Theater of war
Duterte said the Philippines bought arms from the US, which the latter took years to deliver. In another instance, the US Congress denied the Philippines’ request to purchase helicopters.
“Tayo malapit sa China, the theater of war. Kung mag-umpisa man (ang gera) is dito sa (South) China Sea. Pinipilit natin na Amerkano, tayo, we should be provided with the arms and armaments that would at least place us on equal footing with those in war with us. Iyong Amerkano, wala namang binibigay,” he explained.
“I have talked with some Americans, sabi nila yung war games, it’s coming in May. Ang mga Amerkano, nagdala ng armas, mag-display sila, tinuturuan nila ang Pilipino pa’no gumamit during war games and then after that they go home and bring back their equipment – iyan ang lamentations ng Pilipino, yan ang hindi alam ni Robredo,” he added.
“Pagkaalam ni Robredo, nothing’s wrong with America and the Philippines. Ikaw ma’am, I’m sorry to say you are not really qualified to run for president, you do not know your role in this government,” Duterte said.
Rejected
On September 16, 1991, the Philippines Senate, by a close 12-11 vote, rejected a proposed extension of the basing agreement with the US, said to be a symbol of the country's colonial-like dependency on America.
The closure of the bases ended the American military presence that began with the capture of the Philippines from Spain in 1898.
In 1998, about six years after the closure of Subic, the VFA was signed, leading to the establishment of the Balikatan military exercises and the deployment of American personnel in the Philippines.—LDF, GMA News