Category Archives: Military

Beauty, Government, International, Military

Philippines Takes Cue From Miss Universe On The Return Of U.S. Military Bases

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imageMANILA, Philippines  (The Adobo Chronicles) – When Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was asked during last month’s Miss Universe pageant what she thought about the return of U.S. military bases in her country, she said she wouldn’t have any problem with that, noting that Filipinos are always welcoming of Americans.

We all know, of course, that Wurtzbach went on to win the crown, albeit after a short confusion when host Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner, Miss Colombia.

Filipinos have a high regard for their boxers, beauty queens and screen idols, more than they do for their politicians.  So, in a move that pleased Uncle Sam, the Philippines announced that it is set to offer the U.S. military the use of not one, not two, but eight bases.  This, after the country’s Supreme Court upheld a security agreement with Washington forged in the face of rising tensions with China.

The facilities include the former US Clark airbase and air and naval facilities on the southwestern island of Palawan which faces the South China Sea, the focus of territorial disputes with China.

The court decision allows for the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Co-operation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2014 but not implemented due to legal challenges from groups opposed to US military involvement in the Philippines, a US colony from 1898 to 1946.

Incidentally, the Philippines will hold its next presidential elections in May. So when it comes to  who should be elected the next president, just ask Wurtzbach, Manny Pacquiao or Aldub. Whomever they choose or endorse will be a sure winner!

 

 

Military, Sports

FILIPINO ARMY RESERVISTS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY FOLLOWING BASKETBALL TEAM’S LOSS TO CHINA

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Lt. Col. Pacquiao, left, and Lt. Col. Henares
Lt. Col. Pacquiao, left, and Lt. Col. Henares

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (RESCOM) has called hundreds of thousands of army reservists to active duty following the Philippines’ loss to China in yesterday’s FIBA Basketball Asia Championship game.  The Filipino team, Gilas, lost the 2015 title to China 78-67.

The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship game was held in Changsha, Huna, China.

The Filipinos accused China of cooking the game through bad calls by Chinese referees.

The Philippines and China are embroiled in a territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Till yesterday, the Philippine government has been passive in dealing with the dispute, choosing to resolve the hot button issue through diplomatic means, including filing a formal protest with the United Nations.

Gilas’ loss — its second failed attempt in a row at the much-coveted title — was too much for the Philippines to bear, so it decided to bear arms instead.

“We’ve been trying our best to be sportsman-like in dealing with the South China Sea conflict, but it seems that the Chinese  can’t be sport enough even in a supposedly friendly competition like basketball,” President NoyNoy Aquino said.

Among those called to active duty were Filipino champion boxer and Congressman Manny Pacquiao, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve;  and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve.