Return to Subic Bay

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/subic-bay-regains-its-importance-as-a-forward-base

This is just further evidence that the United States plans to stay in the Philippines and return the archipelago nation to its former status as a major host for US forces - a tip of the American spear in the strategic South China Sea.

Subic Bay was abandoned at the conclusion of the Cold War. The US relationship with Manila had been put under stress (largely due to the US backing of the 1965-1986 Marcos dictatorship), and there was a push to downsize and shift to other theatres. The straw that broke the camel's back was the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, a devastating and destructive event that left much of the region buried under ash. The clean-up costs and logistics were going to be terrible - the Pentagon decided it was time to walk away. Clark Air Base closed in 1991 and Subic Bay in 1992.

But twenty years later this decision was regretted as China (by the 2010's) emerged as an ascendant superpower and rival to US interests. Washington began to plan for a re-establishment of its old footprint and connections to the Philippines. Beyond all expectation the son of Ferdinand Marcos came to power in 2022 - a gift to Pentagon planners. Since then, the US has been steadily ramping up its relationship with Manila, moving missile systems and troops to the Philippines - including the Clark Air Base.

And now, the US Navy is making major preparations and returning to Subic Bay. The remainder of the adjacent port has been purchased by Cerberus Capital - a Manhattan-based investment firm with figures like former Treasury Secretary John Snow and former Vice-President Dan Quayle on its board. But even more telling is the fact that until March of 2025, Cerberus was headed by Steve Feinberg who is now Hegseth's deputy at the Pentagon. It's also worth noting that Cerberus formerly owned DynCorp, a notorious and scandal-ridden private security company (read mercenary) that has deep ties to the Pentagon. In other words, Cerberus is (or might as well be) an extension of US government interests.

The Maritime Executive article is biased but this is expected. China is painted as the aggressor but there are other ways of interpreting Beijing's actions. This is not to sanction or endorse Beijing's policies but simply an attempt to assess the situation objectively and with some honesty. Every time China responds to US strategic moves in the region, it's painted as aggression. For Beijing, the appearance of such attack submarines in Subic Bay (as reported in the piece) will be alarming. These are not Ballistic Missile submarines but even Cruise Missile Submarines are threatening enough and capable of deploying nuclear weapons. What's next for the Philippines? Does the public realize that Marcos Jr. (Bongbong) is putting them on the front line of a coming war with China?

See also:

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2025/04/american-militarism-philippines-and.html

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2024/10/washingtons-latest-moves-against-beijing.html

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2021/08/building-anti-beijing-bloc-biden-pivot.html

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2024/03/manila-throws-in-with-aukus-against.html