Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
Philipines Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: Philippines sucks
moderator    3/17/2003 2:12:44 AM
don't you guys think that the philippines military is basically useless. I mean they can't even protect thierselves from terrorist. EM
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest
Pages: PREV  1 2 3
cwDeici       2/20/2010 2:40:00 PM

The Philippines didn't particularly adopt the Spanish culture so much as got it shoved down their throat, about 360 years ago. And then, as part of the Spanish-American war, ended falling under American colonialism through the 20th century. Everyone's griping about the politians - how do those politians get into power? Perhaps it's a combination of vested interestes and free elections. There are bountiful supplies of untapped natural resources, including in Mindanao, but they lie dormant as people squabble between each other, instead of working for the common good of all.

Your post is historically correct and quite perceptive except for one, great error. American Imperialism died out mostly in 1812 as 'Manifest Destiny' failed and they were given a merciful peace by the British Empire. The American Empire that remained was satisfied with limited, local expansion and never indulged in colonies. Seventy-eighty years later it was arguably not imperial at all. No colonies under America fit the archetypical description of colony or colonialism. The Phillipines was a leftover from the Spanish war that there was some reluctance to take and administer. The Phillipines had elements of colonialism but was also akin to an American administrative zone, the Government mildly considered a volountary annexation which is quite far removed from colonialism. Unfortunately the government allowed the corrupt Phillipine leaders to vote on the decision amongst themselves rather than hold a plebiscite. As the local population was highly hostile to its local leaders it is unlikely they would have voted themselves out and might even have voted themselves in. Many Phillipinos of the lower middle and lower classes these days have been told by their parents that they never wanted to leave. 
 
Quote    Reply

cwDeici       2/20/2010 2:41:07 PM
Also, the last war which 'the Phillipines' lost doesn't really count, since America was holding it, plus America won in the end.
 
The Phillipines history of peacekeeping on the other hand. That's a comedy sketch.
 
Quote    Reply

cwDeici       2/20/2010 2:42:20 PM
But as I said things have gotten much better recently in some limited areas...
 
I wonder if there's political and economical assassinations like in Thailand. Nah, the Phillipines doesn't need to, the rich and powerful have the law.
 
Quote    Reply

sumdumbjoe       2/20/2010 7:17:34 PM
As a Joe married to a filipina, the Philippines is my second home. From my experiences, I think the problems are corruption and the philippine culture. As my wife says the crab mentality. Marcos was kicked out by the people. Cory Acquino did what she could but look at what came after her. Ramos, Erap, and Arroyo all corrupt. as I see it the Philippines missed the boat. Look what China did since Mao died. It turned into an economic giant. Most things here in America are made there.It took less than 30 yrs.
 
To me the Philippines gov't lacks a vision on where it wants to be. The politicans seem to just want to line there pockets.
 
After kicking out the Marcos family, mistake number one was not renewing the military leases. The Philippine Gov't could have built a replacement for the Ninoy Acquino Airport with the money from the leases. They could have built a new state of the art airport from scratch with room to expand instead of making due with an old military installation built by a active volcano which could erupt again. They could used the old airport in Manila for air freight or demolish it. Sell the property. They could have used that money for other improvements in the country's infrastucture, tourist, etc. Economic development.
 
With the war on terror and Okinawa becoming over crowded and the USA moving 8,000 military personnel, the Philippine gov't could have hit the jackpot. More lease money.Plus the Japanese gov't might have given some money too. The Philippines would have been in the drivers seat. Promote military retirement. Promote tourism to the american military serving in asia and Alaska. Promote the fishing,diving, beaches, the fun in the sun recreation. Americans spend money.
 
All I see is a place everyone wants to leave. Websites full of Filipinas wanting to marry forgeiners to get out and have a better life. The forgien oversees worker keeps the country's economy humming, but at what price. Kids growing up with one parent or both parents working abroad. Kids need there parents. Why no jobs or jobs that pay.
 
Employers are allowed to discriminate over age and what college you attend. That's crap!!!
 
Filipino's used to grumble about the sex trade by Subic Bay and Clark. Blamed America for bringing AIDS to the Philippines. Well that may be true but the sex trade is still going stronger than ever in Angeles City with website promoting it. If I remember correctly prostitution is illegal. If the Philipine gov't really wanted to get rid of it , it could have been gotten rid of in the 60's,70's or 80's. The sex trade is still going strong but now it's attracting men from Europe, North America and Down Under. Global like Bangkok. Is this what the people in the Philippines want to be known for the sex trade???
 
The Muslims what do they really want???  Are the muslims mad at the way they have been treated?? They been fighting for how many years??? Have a referendumn. Let them all vote and see how many want independance. It's like the Philippines internal Vietnam. Wasting Lives and alot of money. It would bring stabilization. A win win. The NPA would go away with economic oppertunity. If you have no hope with the current gov't , the poor will try the communist.
 
I've talked to alot of Filipinos who think they would be better off if they where still a commonealth of the United States. They look at where they are 64 yrs later. Are we better off. They think not.
 
The Philippines needs leadership that will take on the corruption, and a long term vision which is for all Filipinos.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quote    Reply

talim    cwDeici...   4/15/2010 7:06:43 AM
Oh boy. Where to start?

"American Imperialism died out mostly in 1812 as 'Manifest Destiny' failed and they were given a merciful peace by the British Empire. The American Empire that remained was satisfied with limited, local expansion and never indulged in colonies."

History fail.

1898 Spanish-American War (for Cuba).

Philippine-American War of 1899-1902. 

Panama Canal Puerto Rico, Wake Island, Hawaii, Samoa were also "formal protectorates" or "formal enclaves" of the United States.

America has a colourful history of imperialism, informal or not.

Look up the Teller Amendment, and the subequent Platt Amendment.

"Unfortunately the government allowed the corrupt Phillipine leaders to vote on the decision amongst themselves rather than hold a plebiscite. As the local population was highly hostile to its local leaders it is unlikely they would have voted themselves out and might even have voted themselves in. Many Phillipinos of the lower middle and lower classes these days have been told by their parents that they never wanted to leave."

Of course, those sly brown Filipinos are corrupt and can't take charge of their own country. That Emilio Aguinaldo is obviously like the rest of those child-like people, who couldn't even kick the Spanish out of their own country.

Wait, they did? On their own? 

American Manifest Destiny, social darwinist thinking and power projection into the Far East couldn't have played a role in US colonial ventures in the Southeast Asia.

Indeed, is this a website about geopolitics or sweeping, misinformed generalisations?

And as for "moderator"...I'm not even going to bother. Stew in your ignorance. 
 
Quote    Reply

infernuS       5/4/2010 4:34:34 AM
Historically, I don't think the Philippine military to be useless, let alone it's basic purpose and past performance. To say that it's useless is to turn a blind eye and a hollow-head from the truth.
To moderator: are you okay???
 
Quote    Reply
PREV  1 2 3



 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics