Will China militarize Panatag? Will missiles be aimed at Manila?

Posted by JoeAm on March 31, 2016 · 147 Comments 

Some military adventures cross the line. Russian missiles in Cuba crossed the line for the US in 1962. Russian troops in the Ukraine crossed the line last year. It seems to me that China putting military gear within the Philippine’s lawful Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is crossing the line. That’s almost like putting Chinese tanks in … Continue reading →

Category China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Which US presidential candidate is better for the Philippines? Clinton or Trump?

Posted by JoeAm on March 22, 2016 · 441 Comments 

This is great. I spend most of my time commenting on things Filipino, and now it’s your turn. You get to weigh in on the likely US American presidential candidates, Republican (conservative) lead candidate Donald Trump and Democratic (liberal) leader Hillary Clinton. The context is Philippine best interests. What do you think about it? To get … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, USA/Americans

The EDCA bases

Posted by JoeAm on March 20, 2016 · 59 Comments 

Did you find the choice of Philippine bases under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) as interesting as I did? Peculiar, yet it all makes sense if we think it through. What we learned There are apparently five bases the US will use for staging equipment and housing troops that are rotated through the Philippines [PH, US … Continue reading →

Category Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

EDCA is a process, not a promise

Posted by JoeAm on January 28, 2016 · 476 Comments 

What do you call an acquaintance on Twitter? A Twerp? A Tweep? Not twirp, I think, unless they are trolling. I engaged in a brief discussion there shortly after the Supreme Court declared by a 10 to 4 vote (1 abstention) that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is constitutional and is an agreement rather than … Continue reading →

Category China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Enrile’s Mamasapano hearing an ‘epic fail’

Posted by JoeAm on January 27, 2016 · 220 Comments 

Senator Enrile would have the families of the SAF who died at Mamasapano believe that the troops’ effort to capture and kill a notorious terrorist bomber was a “sordid affair”. That is the Senator’s description of this action at today’s Senate hearing. Senator Enrile was in full prosecuting attorney mode as he spoke in large terms and … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Politics