Let's go with Japan. They have the second largest military budget in Asia (after China) and the most sophisticated navy in the region.

:snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo:

Semper Fidelis et Paratus

I don't know, but I still could not trust Japan. In my experience, I've always worked with the Koreans and for military applications, I would rather have a Korean watch myback than a Jap, cause when these guys commit to something, they'll finish it. Another thing... the Japanese seem to still have imperial ambitions despite them being proved wrong (Dokdo/Takeshima case).

Yup. I'd rather go for the South Koreans than the Japanese who are still exploiting us. Records show that their so-called goodwill are really fronts for them to gather back those ill-gotten wealth they hid here back then. Besides, our culture is a bit similar to the Koreans though they were influenced much by the Japs during their occupation. Japs are great in many ways but the Koreans are catching up. The Nationalist Chinese on the other hand cannot be relied upon as their politics are more muddled than ours. Some are already known to be siding with the Reds openly.

Besides, being sophisticated doesn't really mean success. They'll most likely just shoot from a safe distance and since we are the better choice for to close in on the enemy (experienced) our casualties would be higher. Koreans have at least the training and their SpecOps have the experience. Indians, nah. Too untrustworthy even at work (well, mostly). The British? Hmmm. Nope as their politicians do things their way despite what the people want (something that GMA seems to be wanting).

China? Never! All Commies are untrustworthy in my opinion. If I were a Nationalist Chinese official, I'd invest in improving the subversive support against the Mainlanders. Its only a little more time before those ChiCom implode due to unrest. The Nationalists shouldn't give up the dream of reconquering the mainland. Still, allying ourselves with the Nationalists mean well executed diplomatic footwork which our present administration lacks (not unless JDV takes up post as DFA instead - his only talent in real life is dealing with people).

But didn't you know that Korean soldiers serving under the Japanese Imperial Army were among the cruelest torturers and killers of Filipino civilians and guerrillas in World War II?

Same as those Filipino turncoats who pointed out the freedom fighters. At the very least us and the Koreans know what it was like under Jap rule.

The Japanese and the South Koreans. I pretty much heard about the Korean conscripts cruelty dutring the 2nd War.It is smart to know your history but we do need to move on.Every country has dark past and we do too.This is the time to cooperate with our closest neighbors and consider them allies.We must understand that despite our different cultures and economic background we have a common threat that we might have the displeasure in facing it in the future.Some of oour paranoias are well founded but we cannot do this alone and we cant even stand on our own.

Actually, yes, I know that the koreans were meaner than the Japs. My great grandfather worked with the insurgents and he witnessed time and time again koreans turning their anger on the locals. Their brutality is also witnessed in Viet Nam, where VC and NVA troops would not even dare trample on their territory.

Then again, think about it, are filipinos any different? When my dad was in the Army, he insisted that the filipinos were more brutal in the field than any other asians. When my uncle commanded a detachment in Viet Nam, he also claimed that the filipinos were notorious for torturing captured enemies, especially those that betrayed them.

Again... are we any different? The Koreans were forced to fight in the war with out pay or benifits and with their families under threat. Added to this, their national identity and culture was literally stripped from them. These koreans carried a lot of anger. I know not of one korean that has no one family member suffered under the japs. As a matter of fact, many of these koreans drafted into the Jap Imperial Army remained in the Philippines for fear that the Japanese will regain power.

All in all, we are no different.

Alliances are give and take relationships. What can we offer to them in return?

Looking at the list, these are all members of UN. Why not strengthen it and continue our friendly ties with these countries. It was created for such purpose also.

We can give Japan some economic franchises to do business here. And we can tell them that it's a way of making it up to us for their war crimes.

:snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo:

Semper Fidelis et Paratus

As it is, we're begging them to let our workers into Japan (e.g., nurses, etc.). What use would the 2nd largest economy in the world have for business permits in a third world economy?

As for payment for war crimes, we've already been given war reparations. The "Ang Pangulo" presidential yacht and the Roppongi estate were all part of that. Don't forget all the Japanese aid that we've been getting over the years.

All of the above.

Japan's new goal is globalization. This is their alternative for military supremacy. We can let them expand their industries in our country, and that is what they want. This is also good for us, since we are talking about foreign investment.

:snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo:

Semper Fidelis et Paratus

We can offer them training our air space our shores and waters in return they can "share" their equipments that we badly need and "share" them with our country for a "longtime".We can offer a percentage of our natural resources in return for weapons platform that our AFP badly needed.

Right you are, brassballs!

:snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo: :snipemo:

Semper Fidelis et Paratus

Well there is always China and their knock offs of Western and Eastern equipment. These days they have moved past simply selling cheap versions of Russian tanks, planes, artillery, subs and small arms.

They sell Kelvar vests and helmets (copied from American models) which are very much needed by the Army and Marines. They sell 5.56mm, 7.62mm NATO, 60mm, 81mm and 105mm ammo used by the Army and Marines. And they sell a lot cheaper then America and the EU and the stuff does work (you get more then what you pay for). They also make optics for rifles which are the same as the American models but at a 4th of the cost.

They also sell artillery and mortars in Western caliber including a 105mm that is very similar to the M-56. They have copied man portable FAEs from Russia and can put those on the market. They make RPG-7s which are good close support weapons. They also have Hummer knock offs and well as knock offs of American trucks.

China also sells missile attack boats, frigates, landing ships, transport planes, jet trainers (K-8), and will be replacing their S-70C Blackhawks soon :thumb: . They also build bombs, air to ground rockets and so forth.

Thailand went to China for lower cost equipment and has one of the most capable defense forces in South East Asia. Burma went to China and has since crushed most of their rebellions. Pakistan is only able to stay in the arms race with India because of the Chinese.

So in theory they could fill a lot of the Philippines defense needs. Even if let's say planes and ships are not bought they could fill the ammo and vest/helmet thing without at all worrying about sanctions.

Not saying they should buy from China but it is something to look at for a budget minded armed forces...

I go for Japan, we need the might of the Japanese navy and airforce in turn we can provided them logistics or raw materials. :patrioticpinoy:

Spoonman, :agree: !!!

Japan

- is our best partner in terms of logistical support in the long run. Spoonman's point is sound and achievable. I share the same idea.


South Korea

- will continue to be a vital partner while we are still at the early phase of our modernization program. They can help us get some interim fighters (F5E jets) and naval assets and even surplus armored vehicles to augment our military without investing a lot.

i will vote for japan. they are our second biggest trading partner. however, i doubt japan will enter into defense treaty with the philippines...korea seems to be easier on this. however with japan currently seeking international support to offset those of china...it will be a good opportunity for us.

ps: japan will not pour sizeable investments into the country with the current situation...india, thailand, and china are better option.

ps:ps: what is that so called roppongi estate? wanna visit it. just hope its not the very small, dark, crowded philippine embassy located in the basement of this one building in roppongi. :armycry:

i'll go for Australia... but their not included in the list... :specool:

sounds feasible spoonman.... :agree:

Sorry Australia's not included, Shadowsniper.

I believe this has been going on for the last 30 years.

:urpointis:

voted South korea - this guys make excellent weapon systems nowadays whcih we can seriously consider once we get over our current money problems :thumb:

Here's a bit on the Roppongi property from the website of the Philippine Embassy in Japan.




Property Development

The 3,190.21 sqm Roppongi Property was acquired by the Philippine government on 27 June 1958 through the 1956 Reparations Agreement between the Philippines and Japan. It was the site of the chancery of the Philippine Embassy until 1976 when the chancery was transferred to the vacated Philippine Reparations building in Nanpeidai, Shibuya-ku. Thereafter, the property was totally abandoned in 1997 for difficulty in maintenance and the building grounds were left to the elements leading to its condemnation by the government as uninhabitable and unsafe.

The original structure built during the Taisho period (1923) was a highly acclaimed achitectural piece in the genre of the rennaissance. It was a three-story villa with an astronomical observatory tower and surrounded by a Japanese garden of tall trees laced with imported boulders/stones. The owner, Ryoji Oda and his wife Ineko lived in the property for 33 years untils it was sold to the Japanese government in payment of tax arrears. Ownership would, thereafter, be transferred to the Philippine government.

In 1985, the Marcos government attempted to develop the property but this was abandoned with the advent of the People Power (revolt) revolution in 1986. The new government of Mrs. Aquino inherited an economy in shambles and a bankrupt treasury. The government tried selling the property in 1989 during the height of the real estate boom in Japan but ended in a failure of bid. Later in 1990 during the second bidding to sell the property, the Supreme Court would rule that the property could not be disposed of without the concurrence of Congress.

Prevented from selling the property, the Ramos government, however, succeeded in developing the property.

In 1992, Presidnet Fidel V. Ramos issued Administrative Order No. 8 creeating a committee on Disposition of Real Properties of the Republic of the Philippines Located Abroad.

On 26 April 1994, the House of Representatives under the Speakership of Jose de Venecia adopted Resolution No. 73 urging the President and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to develop properties in Japan. Together with the recommendation of the then Philippine Ambassador to Japan, Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. (in his first term as Ambassador) the Properties COmmittee in July 1994 approved the development of the Roppongi Property into a mixed diplomatic and residential use, and to fastrack the project created a Technical Working Group.

The working group later became the Prequalification , Evaluation and Awards Committee (PEAC) which selected the consultant of the Project namely, Nihon Sekkei, Inc. with Filipinas Dravo Corporation. It was reconstituted as the Prequalification, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC).

The PBAC on 4 March 1996 recommended to the Properties Committee the selected developer of the project, namely, MIS Consortium composed of Mitsui Fudosan Co, Ltd., Itochu Corporation and Shimizu Corporation.

On 18 April 1997, Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchemgco signed the Leasehold and Development Contract with the MIS Consortium and on 14 June 1997 President Fidel V. Ramos approved the contract and thus started the construction of the building. On their way to the APEC Leaders Meeting in Vancouver, President and Mrs. Ramos made a stopover in Tokyo on 19 November 1997 to lead the groundbreaking ceremony (Shinto style) of the Roppongi development.

The Roppongi project utilized a unique model of development whereby there was no cash out on the part of the Philippine governemnt while retaining full ownership and title to the land and the floor area of the chancery. The project was completed in five years and three months. The new Philippine Embassy chancery comprises a total floor area of 2,412.7 sqm.

http://www.tokyope.org/embshow.html#1

No nation has real allies, just interests to protect. The quicker this sinks in, the better.

Kaya dapat, makaisa na tayo kase walang tutulong at magmamalasakit sa atin kung hindi dion tayo!

:mademyd:

We should tighten our ties with both India and Japan. We could have lots of wins from them and they would help us against China-just in case

i foresee Singapore as a potential defense ally. We will need Singapore's help if we want to acquire back Sabah from Malaysia. :snipemo:

True indeed.
WE should actually think of a mutualy treaty pact with India,Japan,Singapore and Thailand to replace the SEATO.


:patrioticpinoy:

among those listed, i voted for South Korea... they have thousands of south koreans in our country to protect, they've given us the most significant military hardware aside from the u.s... and i know for sure among those listed, they are the ones who'll never leave us in times of :specool: crisis... they never forgot the 7,000+ filipino soldiers who stood by them under fire when their country was on the brink of extinction during the korean war....

among the countries not listed i would like us to form a military alliance with Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia & Taiwan.... Thailand also has problems with muslim insurgents in its southern region which they know are also being sponsored by Malaysia... Singapore is also pissed off with malaysia, so is Indonesia with regards to those 2 islands that the malaysians hoodwinked from them... as for Taiwan, although it's practically impossible coz our country recognizes the commie chinks, maybe an under the table agreement to secure our northern flank just in case the commie chinks get crazy.... what do you guys think? :salute:

Japan has not yet declared an official apology to Filipinos in what they had done to us in Worldwar 2. Most of them still believe that they are the "victims" in that war. As it was taught to Japanese people, in their own version of world history. Because of that, in my own opinion, Japan cannot be trusted. :fire:

South Koreans meanwhile are very thankful to us in what we have done for them at Korean war. That is why they are good to us Filipinos. Shame only, the country whom we helped militarily before is now more powerful to us Filipinos at present times. Because we Filipinos fought against each other, and they, became United in times of crisis.

My main point is that, I would want the South Koreans to be our Ally. Because I believe that they can be trusted. :thumb:

Patawarin mo na ang mga hapon na namugot ng ulo ng ating mga ninunong Katipuneros....

They have been paying us back through Japan Aid, a monetary means.... And if you really don't trust them from ur heart, then do not support any japanese brands including those rides you know....

Let's keep moving forward people!

Hapon? Katipuneros? Mukhang mali yata ang timeline, sir.

ninuno ata daw ng mga katipuneros ibig atang sabihin ni comrade spearhead, medyo mali nga ang timeline... :banana: