Taiwan
The buildup of US military forces in Subic Bay, Zambales, might be seen by some as an answer to those bishops’ appeal. The US is responding to China’s threats to annex or take Taiwan by force, if necessary, by 2027.
The Chinese Navy recently surrounded Taiwan with a naval blockade. Chinese President Xi Jinping has insisted that Taiwan is part of China. Tokyo added to the tensions last November when its premier Sanae Takaichi said an attack on Taiwan would be an attack on Japan. The US has responded since 2014 by building up its nine bases within Philippine military bases, including in Subic Bay Freeport, where it would construct a “joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility.” They will manufacture howitzer shells and other weaponry and store critical materials like nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. It is designed for high-output munitions production.
The US Navy is establishing a large-scale equipment depot in the free port. The former Hanjin shipyard is now owned by American firm Cerberus Capital Management. Its co-founder and former chief executive officer Stephen Feinberg owns at least 75 percent of the company. He was sworn in by Trump as the 36th US deputy defense secretary last March. His corporations have contracts with the US government.
The plan, it seems, is to transform Subic Bay into a de facto US “military “base.” The Agila Subic ship repairs Philippine Navy and US ships, and a naval station is being constructed at the Nabasan Pier, to be ready by 2028. Subic’s airport is to be restored and upgraded for military patrols of the South China Sea.
It is a frightening preparation for war over Taiwan, but that possible conflict would also target Chinese military bases on Philippine shoals and might drive the Chinese out of Philippine territorial waters. For sure, this likely US military response is not what the Filipino bishops asked for when they said it was “permissible — morally necessary even” to seek the help of international allies to defend Philippine territory.
The US military facilities are for preventive attacks against the Chinese military if any conflict over Taiwan arises, and makes them — and the Philippines — vulnerable targets, too. It is not for the defense of the Philippines because Roberto and his friends still cannot go fishing to feed their families.
Nothing has happened to restore access to Philippine fishing grounds for the benefit of Filipino fishermen. In fact, it all makes the Philippines a major strategic target of Chinese missiles and drone strikes in the coming years, promising destruction and death to Filipinos.
Consider the impact of the aggression of nations in recent years and the massive change to the world order and violations of the rule of international law set up after World War II.
China has occupied parts of Philippine territory and is apparently set to invade Taiwan.
Russia has invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine and bombs it daily.
The US bombed Venezuela three days into 2026, and seized its president and oil reserves.
There is civil war in Sudan.
The US is keen to take over Greenland to get its minerals, even if it destroys the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
This makes President Donald Trump the best ally of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who will continue to attack Ukraine and, perhaps, even other European countries. US action is giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government the green light to bomb any nation it considers its enemy with American weapons.
Meanwhile, Maria and Roberto are living in poverty with thousands of other impoverished Filipino fishermen blocked from fishing by China and having little or no food for their children to eat for months./PN
