US Drills Escalate Tensions, Not 'Security,' in Philippines
📰 THE STORY: Bloomberg reports that the US and the Philippines conducted their first joint maritime 'cooperative activity' for the year near a disputed South China Sea shoal, framing it as a counter to increased Chinese patrols and a measure for regional stability. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Philippines was a direct US colony from 1898 until 1946, gained through the
Spanish-American War, with millions of Filipinos killed in the Philippine-American War before official annexation. The US maintained significant military bases, like Subic Bay and Clark Air Base, long after 'independence,' exerting immense political and economic influence. New bases are being established specifically to counter China, not to protect Philippine sovereignty. The US presence is a
continuation of a century-old imperial blueprint. Double Standard: The narrative portrays China's patrolling of waters it claims as 'aggressive,' yet the US, over 7,000 miles away, conducting military drills in those same waters is framed as 'cooperative activity' and a defender of 'international rules-based order.' Imagine the media outcry if China conducted joint naval drills with Mexico in the
Gulf of Mexico, claiming to protect Mexico's oil platforms from US 'hegemony.' The hypocrisy is glaring. Follow the Money: The US military-industrial complex benefits directly from escalating tensions. Defense contractors, like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, see increased arms sales and bigger budgets as the 'China threat' narrative gains traction. The Philippines, under President Marcos Jr., has