High Tension in South China Sea !!! Philippines Expands U.S. Military Presence
Naval Base Camilo Osias, a small military facility on the northern tip of the Philippines’ largest island, does not look important. Despite appearances, this site is evidence of an evolving U.S.-Philippine relationship expected to have substantial impact on Asian security. With U.S. funding, Naval Base Camilo Osias is expected to soon get a rehabilitated airstrip, a new pier and more facilities to accommodate soldiers. The U.S. military can also rotate troops and place weapons at this strategic location, just 400 kilometers from Taiwan. The United States retained a permanent military presence until the early 1990s, when the last U.S. base was removed amid domestic opposition and concerns about Philippine sovereignty. U.S. troops could serve as a deterrent against China’s expansionist goals, especially as Beijing seeks to extend its influence past the so-called first island chain of Pacific archipelagos.
