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January 30, 2012

Filipino Activists Protest Expanded U.S. Military Presence 
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In news from Asia, dozens of activists marched outside the U.S. embassy
in Manila on Saturday to denounce a possible expansion of the U.S.
military presence in the Philippines Renato Reyes is a spokesperson for
the New Patriotic Alliance.

Renato Reyes: "We are very opposed to the plans to re-align and deploy
more U.S. troops in the Philippines, and we are aware that this is in
line with the U.S. strategy to build up its armed forces in Asia to
counter China. And we feel that the Philippines might be caught in the
rising tension between the two countries if we allow the U.S. to base
their troops in this region."

The Obama administration is taking a number of steps to expand U.S.
military power in Asia. On Friday, the Philippines defense minister
confirmed the country was considering a U.S. proposal to deploy
surveillance aircraft in the Philippines. Meanwhile, United States is
planning to station up to 2,500 Marines in the Australian city of Darwin
and to deploy warships in Singapore.



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