MANILA, Philippines – US President Obama’s visit to the Philippines is, apparently, a success, if one considers the outcome of the state visit last April 28 & 29, 2014.
Obama has ensured US support for the Philippines, while simultaneously disclosing his message that peace should reign in the region.
Philippine President Noynoy Aquino, himself, stated that there is no use of compromising the country’s growth and prosperity for a ‘few rocks,’ which are uninhabitable. Obviously, he was referring to the disputed Spratly Islands.
The US and Philippine presidents signed the EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) that would ensure “peace and stability” in the region. Obama was honored with a lavish feast in Malacañang, where he thanked his Filipino Chef at the White House. Obama also revealed that he and Aquino shared the same love for basketball and Manny Pacquiao.
It was clear, though, that the US has no intentions of re-establishing their US bases (Subic and Clark) in the country. Clark Air Base in Pampanga was previously the largest US base outside of American soil, until the Mt. Pinatubo eruption that forced the withdrawal of American troops from the Philippines.
Pictures of US President Obama in PH.
