An agreement between the United States and the Philippines, announced on February 2, gives American forces access to nine bases across the country, up from the five deployments from which they can currently operate in the Philippines.
The Senate of the Philippines voted in 1992 to stop hosting any new U.S. bases, after years of failed negotiations between the United States and the Philippines. On November 24, 1992, USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) was the final vessel to depart the Philippines as part of the final withdrawal of U.S. forces from Subic Bay Naval Base and Naval Air Station Cubi Point.
Since 1992, China has built up its forces and increased propaganda about a forced reunion with Taiwan in an attempt to establish its authority in the South China Sea.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said when announcing the new agreement that it would not involve the permanent basing of troops in the archipelago nation or large numbers of sailors and ships. “Because it is a really big deal.”
