On September 16, 1991, Senator Wigberto Tañada delivered an impassioned speech in the Philippines’ senate. President Corazon Aquino was proposing a new military-base treaty with the United States, and Tañada called upon his fellow lawmakers to sever the last chains of colonialism. He envisioned the departure of American warplanes, battleships, and soldiers as a symbol of greater national achievement.
Ultimately, the treaty was rejected by a single ballot, with twelve senators voting against it. Socorro Diokno, leader of the Anti-Bases Coalition at the time, expressed her astonishment at the outcome. She saw it as the culmination of a fight that her great-grandfather had begun, and she considered herself fortunate to have been a part of its victorious conclusion.
The presence of U.S. military bases in the Philippines dates back to 1898. However, by the time of the senate vote, tensions had risen between Manila and Washington over payments for the bases. Additionally, their strategic value was in question as the Cold War came to an end and President George H. W. Bush sought closer relations with China. The Philippines had recently experienced a popular uprising that had ousted the American-backed dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and nationalist sentiment remained strong.
From the American perspective, it was seen as a withdrawal, while the Philippines saw it as a forceful eviction. Walden Bellow, an academic and former congressman in the Philippines, characterized it as the latter.
Today, there is no talk of reestablishing U.S. bases in the Philippines. However, more American troops have returned to Philippine soil. During a military exercise in April, U.S. military reservists showcased their capabilities in target drone hunting and mock attacks on warships. Furthermore, hundreds of U.S. troops simulated securing control of a strategically important island. This increased American presence is driven by the need for a counterweight against China, which has engaged in aggressive actions in the South China Sea, harassing Philippine forces and fishermen and building military installations on disputed islands.
Recent developments have renewed the alliance between the Philippines and the United States. These include an agreement granting U.S. forces access to additional bases and joint military exercises of historic proportions. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the deposed dictator, has actively pursued closer ties with the United States to safeguard against Chinese aggression. However, the history of U.S.-Philippines relations is fraught with accusations of colonial oppression, support for a dictator, and the misconduct of American troops.
The United States took control of the Philippines in 1898 and established military bases there in the early 1900s. The country gained independence after World War II but signed an agreement granting the United States a 99-year lease on military and naval facilities. The two countries later solidified their alliance with a mutual-defense treaty. However, the regime of Ferdinand Marcos, initially viewed as a bulwark against communism by the U.S., descended into martial law, human rights abuses, and corruption.
Marcos’s assassination of his chief political rival, Benigno Simeon Aquino Jr., triggered mass protests and led to the downfall of his regime. Corazon Aquino, his widow, won the subsequent presidential election, and the People Power Revolution secured her victory. The United States withdrew its support from Marcos, sealing his fate.
The movement to eject the U.S. military from the Philippines in 1991 was closely tied to the grievances against Marcos. The Anti-Bases Coalition, led by Diokno, argued that without American support, Marcos would not have been able to remain in power. Furthermore, they criticized the U.S. for allowing Marcos safe passage out of the country, rather than facing justice in the Philippines. This history had personal significance for Diokno, as her father, a former justice secretary and senator, had been imprisoned by the Marcos administration.
In addition to political factors, the American military presence in the Philippines was also met with objection for other reasons. The sex trade, serving U.S. servicemen, thrived around the bases, with Olongapo being a hub for bars and women catering to American men. This led to a debaucherous environment that attracted sex tourists, including pedophiles and psychopaths. The presence of U.S. troops also contributed to social issues, such as the spread of AIDS and incidents of underage prostitution.
Despite the contentious history, individuals like Lee Badman, who served at Clark Air Base, have fond memories of their time in the Philippines. For them, the experience was a combination of awe for the natural beauty and facilities, and exposure to a different culture.
In conclusion, while the Philippines and the United States have had a complex relationship, recent developments have seen the two nations strengthen their alliance. The need to counter China’s aggression in the South China Sea has outweighed past grievances, as both countries recognize the importance of collaboration in ensuring regional security.
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