Comments on: Off The Beaten Path

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:57:26 +0000

Hi John Reyes – I agree with your observations. Pulling uniform military out of view does make for a safer environment (danger from the fringe elements) and keeps heads a little cooler when protest time comes around. Thanks for pointing them out.

By: John Reyes

John Reyes — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:04:16 +0000

Just speculation, Paul K, but the decision to pull U.S Marine guards from guard duty at the gates of the Manila U.S. Embassy may have been driven by two factors: to remove the Marines from harm’s way and to minimize the appearance of U.S. military presence in the Philippines and the antagonism that it engenders.

I personally doubt that the visual presence of Marine guards in public view would deter anti-American demonstrations – Pulang Bandila, or otherwise – outside the Embassy; on the contrary, I think it would attract more demonstrations, as the very sight of the armed Marine guards represents all that the U.S. stands for – interventionism and imperialism – in the eyes of the Filipino far Left that objects very strongly to the VFA and U.S. military presence in the Philippines.

I feel, though, that the majority of Filipinos holds the same values as do Americans, and aligns itself to the American ethos of love of God, Country, and Family – in that order – but there are those who think differently. And this is what State may have been worried about.

Afterall, if memory serves, a Colonel Rowe of the U.S. Army serving with JUSMAG was gunned down in Manila in 1985(?) by a Sparrow hit squad, a unit of the NPA.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:12 +0000

Hi Jason – There was plenty going on behind the scenes in the Philippines during the occupation by Japan. One method of its being camoufloged was the continuous smiles and good nature displayed to a bitter enemy. Another was to label a few very active guerilla teams as “bandits” so as to minimize Japanese reprisals on the local populace.

One thing you can say with certainty: The Filipino didn’t just sit on his/her hands awaiting salvation during WWII.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:48:35 +0000

Hi Ron. Well, I was in “don’t open that can of worms” mode when I avoided mentioning that detachment. While the U.S. Embassy and associated land enclosed within its gates is diplomatically considered U.S. soil, there are those who still want to root out each and every bit of U.S. Military presence in the Philippines regardless of their purpose or location. Guess I didn’t want any spade work to start here.

ooo-raaaah.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:51:59 +0000

Hello Paul

Oh I never this information before…I thought I was pretty savy when it came to military history in the Philippines ;p I remember visiting General McArthurs statue in Leyte last year. Mmmmm the memories are still so vivid in my mind…

By: Ron LaFleur

Ron LaFleur — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:37:34 +0000

Paul you still have Marine personnel stationed at the Manila embassy. They may not be at the public gates but they are there. They have a distinct mission and letting the public in or out is not the mission. You can rest assured that they are monitering what is going on however-every where in that embassy. Ron (SgtsMajor USMC, Retired)

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:33:16 +0000

Be proud of your father-in-law and make sure he writes that history down. So much history of what went on over here during the war is being lost everyday as people who were involved pass on.

Please thank him for me.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:20:36 +0000

i have asked my father in law to write down some of these story’s so my son can read them when he gets older, sort of not losing the family history with him ! my father in law has had a colorful life was a missionary and a mercenary scout in Mindanao and converted many muslins to Christianity one way or another! worked for san miguel brewery worked as a baggage porter ,made coco kraft business.raised pigs and chickens and is a herbalist,was a bodybuilder when younger. still is a pretty strong man even at 73 yrs old .he probably knows more secrets about local politicians then anyone person you will meet! no body in his neighborhood will mess with him he is very well respected and i never met anyone with so many friends before in my life!

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:08:33 +0000

You are most welcome, Miss August. Weather permitting, I will try to put together more picture-oriented articles. As is, rainy season is lingering.

By: Miss August

Miss August — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:02:54 +0000

Thanks for this article Paul! I specially enjoyed the photos.