AMERICAN MILITARY BASES IN THE PHILIPPINES, BASE NEGOTIATIONS, AND PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN RELATIONS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Philippine-American relations have been directly affected by the presence of the U.S. military bases, particularly during the period since the Philippines gained its independence in 1946. The negotiations concerning the retention of the bases frequently have increased the tensions between the two countries as issues such as criminal jurisdiction continually are discussed but not resolved. The Philippine desire to exercise sovereignty over the bases conflicts with the American insistence that operational control remain with U.S. military authorities.;As the United States prepares for the next series of base negotiations which are to begin in 1984, two questions should be answered. The first involves the contributions which the bases make to U.S. political and military objectives. How important are the bases to the accomplishment of these objectives? The second question is dependent upon the answer to the first. If the bases do contribute to these objectives, are there other basing arrangements which could be made in Asia involving less political risk for the United States than continuing to support the Marcos regime as a quid pro quo for the retention of the bases in the Philippines?;Air Force and Navy records were the primary source documents used for both the historical and contemporary periods, especially concerning the negotiations. The Air Force kept meticulous files on the negotiations between 1971 and 1979, and the files of the legal offices at both Clark and Subic were made available which provided insights into the complexities of the criminal jurisdiction problem. Many interviews were conducted with American and Filipino military and civilian authorities. Most of these individuals were either directly involved with the negotiations or the implementation of the agreements reached. They provided valuable information on the previous negotiations and also the problems which remain to be resolved.;The primary conclusion reached is that the United States should significantly reduce its military presence in the Philippines while expanding that presence at other locations in Asia. The facilities presently available in Singapore, Guam, Japan, and Australia should be expanded through negotiations with the countries or territories involved. The Philippine military bases would revert to Philippine control, but the United States would still have access to them in situations mutually agreed upon by the two countries. The advantages of this proposal are twofold. With the removal of the bases as contentious issues between the countries, more normal bilateral relations can be established.;When the containment strategy was extended to Asia after the Korean war and the Viet Minh victory over the French in 1954, the military bases, especially Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base, became more important within the strategic context because of their contribution to the accomplishment of this strategy. In the post-Vietnam era, American foreign policy in Asia has been criticized by many individuals in the United States and abroad for lacking resolve in complying with treaty commitments. For many political and military leaders, the retention of the military bases in the Philippines became even more important as a signal to friends and adversaries that the United States intended to remain an Asian power.;The second advantage involves American political and military objectives in Asia. By diversifying its military presence, the pursuit of these objectives will not be affected by the political instability existing in the Philippines. Even as martial law is rescinded, it is clear that President Marcos intends to retain control over the political system. The military bases, as symbols of American support for the current regime, raise serious questions concerning their retention by successive governments.