US back in the Philippines

The United States and the Philippines have been intertwined since before the turn of the 19th century and have a colorful history. From the Philippines being a colony of Spain, to a colony of the United States, to now a independent nation and close ally of the United States. Now the Philippines and the United States singed a 10 year agreement to have United States military bases back in the Philippines.

The United States had bases in the Philippines up to 1991, when the Philippine government voted to have the bases removed. But now tensions are heating up in the South Pacific. Over the past couple years the China and Philippines have had increased tensions between each other over the territorial sea dispute, with islands that may be oil and gas rich. The two have had small skirmish, and tension is high. Any body could tell you if the war to actually break out over the islands that China would annihilate any Philippine military resistance. Because of the recent build up of tension, the Philippines is letting the United States Military bases to come back for 10 years. This is being done to deter China from the Philippines, because the last thing China would want is a war with the United States.

China of course is in opposition to this and has the told the United States to stay out of Asian affairs. But American military forces haven't been gone completely after 1991. Hundreds of American troops have been stationed in the Philippines since 2002, to fight Al-Qaeda sponsored groups in the south Philippines.

American troops in the Philippines has been a sensitive issue, because of the history of Philippines being an American colony, especially with the horrible events that took place during the Philippine–American War. After that war the country became a colony of the United States.

Many Americans would argue why should we send troops to the Philippines and possible get involved in something that does not concern us. This feeling has definitely increased after the United States' involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I feel that is a different case.

Even though for many years the United States occupied the Philippines, today most Filipinos see the United States as close allies and liberators after the United States ended Japanese occupation in World War II. Also there is the colony factor. American troops did terrible things during the Philippine-American War, and had occupied the country till 1935, and it is only the right thing to do is to help defend the former colony they ask for help. The United Kingdom would most likely step in help India or South Africa, if they asked for it, and why shouldn't the United States do the same. Granted I probably have a biased view, as my mom is from the Philippines.

If all things go well nothing of significance will happen during these next 10 years between the Philippines and China, and the the United States will not have to get involved further than what it is now.

More Info
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PHILIPPINES_US_MILITARY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-04-27-02-16-37
http://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2013/10/27/south-china-sea/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine%E2%80%93American_War