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Obama cites legacy of U.S.-Philippines cooperation as he concludes Asia trip Obama cites legacy of U.S.-Philippine cooperation as he concludes Asia trip
(about 11 hours later)
MANILA, Philippines — President Obama paid tribute to a shared history of sacrifice Tuesday, as he reflected on how the Philippines had surmounted the challenges of both a war and natural disaster with the aid of its American ally. MANILA — President Obama paid tribute to a shared history of sacrifice Tuesday, as he reflected on how the Philippines had surmounted the challenges of both a war and natural disaster with the aid of its American ally.
Speaking at the Fort Bonifacio Gymnasium on the last day of his week-long trip to Asia, the president recalled the sacrifices both nations made during World War II as “hundreds of thousands of Filipinos fought under the American flag.”Speaking at the Fort Bonifacio Gymnasium on the last day of his week-long trip to Asia, the president recalled the sacrifices both nations made during World War II as “hundreds of thousands of Filipinos fought under the American flag.”
“Together, Filipinos and Americans put up a heroic defense, at Bataan and Corregidor. Together, they endured the agony of the death marches and the horror of the prisoner of war camps,” the president said in the hot gym, with a mix of Filipino and U.S. service members standing behind him in full uniform. “Sadly, the proud service of many of these Filipino veterans was never fully recognized by the United States. Many were denied the compensation they had been promised. It was an injustice.”“Together, Filipinos and Americans put up a heroic defense, at Bataan and Corregidor. Together, they endured the agony of the death marches and the horror of the prisoner of war camps,” the president said in the hot gym, with a mix of Filipino and U.S. service members standing behind him in full uniform. “Sadly, the proud service of many of these Filipino veterans was never fully recognized by the United States. Many were denied the compensation they had been promised. It was an injustice.”
The U.S. has now compensated 20,000 Filipinos and their families for their World War II service, Obama said. The United States has now compensated 20,000 Filipinos and their families for their World War II service, Obama said.
In one of the most emotional points of the speech, Obama recognized a handful of men who fought at Bataan and Corregidor and a nurse, Carolina Garcia Delfin, who fought in the resistance — all of whom are now in the 90s. He urged “those of you who can stand” to get up from their seats as the crowd applauded with enthusiasm. In one of the most emotional points of the speech, Obama recognized a handful of men who fought at Bataan and Corregidor and a nurse, Carolina Garcia Delfin, who fought in the resistance — all of whom are now in their 90s. He urged “those of you who can stand” to get up from their seats as the crowd applauded with enthusiasm.
But in a sign of how the U.S.-Philippines relationship has evolved over time, the president then shifted and recognized three men — one a Philippine Navy SEAL, the two others a U.S. Marine colonel and a U.S. Air Force major — for being on the first aircraft that landed at Tacloban airport the morning after Typhoon Haiyan hit the city. But in a sign of how the U.S.-Philippine relationship has evolved over time, the president then shifted and recognized three men — one a Philippine Navy SEAL, the two others a U.S. Marine colonel and a U.S. Air Force major — for being on the first aircraft that landed at Tacloban airport the morning after Typhoon Haiyan hit the city in November.
“In the days that followed, they worked together — Filipinos and Americans. Setting up a medical station. Clearing debris from the runway. Reopening that airport,” Obama recounted. “Filipino soldiers unloading aid from American cargo aircraft. American troops loading supplies onto Filipino helicopters. And when all the cargo was off those aircraft, our troops worked together to help local residents aboard so they could be evacuated to safety.”“In the days that followed, they worked together — Filipinos and Americans. Setting up a medical station. Clearing debris from the runway. Reopening that airport,” Obama recounted. “Filipino soldiers unloading aid from American cargo aircraft. American troops loading supplies onto Filipino helicopters. And when all the cargo was off those aircraft, our troops worked together to help local residents aboard so they could be evacuated to safety.”
Speaking to the three men in the audience — including Air Force Major George Apalisok, who happens to be Filipino America — the president told them, “You showed what friends can do when we take care of each other,” adding, “These are the kinds of missions we face today.” Speaking to the three men in the audience — including Air Force Maj. George Apalisok, a Filipino American — the president told them, “You showed what friends can do when we take care of each other.” He added, “These are the kinds of missions we face today.”
Still, nearly six months after the typhoon — also known as Hurricane Yolanda — ripped through the Philippines, affected areas such as Tacloban are still working to recover. Still, nearly six months after the devastating storm — also known locally as Typhoon Yolanda — ripped through the central Philippines, affected areas such as Tacloban are still working to recover.
Its mayor Alfred Romualdez said in a phone interview that of the 12,000 families dislocated by the disaster, 2,000 remain in temporary shelters while about 6,500 are living back on the coast in makeshift shelters, and another 3,000 are scattered throughout the city. The city’s mayor, Alfred Romualdez, said in a phone interview that of the 12,000 families still dislocated by the disaster, 2,000 remain in temporary shelters, while about 6,500 are living back on the coast in makeshift shelters, and another 3,000 are scattered throughout the city.
While 95 percent of the debris has been cleared and more than two-thirds of the city’s utilities are back on line, he added, water connections are still down 35 percent and only 45 percent of local businesses are operating. While 95 percent of the debris has been cleared and more than two-thirds of the city’s utilities are back on line, he added, water connections are still down 35 percent, and only 45 percent of local businesses are operating.
“The recovery’s going to take a longer time,” Romualdez said.“The recovery’s going to take a longer time,” Romualdez said.
The signing of a new defense agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines Monday has touched off protests by some Filipinos here, who see it as an effort by Americans to regain some of the control they exercised when the Philippines was a U.S. territory. The signing Monday of a new defense agreement between the United States and the Philippines has touched off protests by some Filipinos here, who see it as an effort by Americans to regain some of the control they exercised when the Philippines was a U.S. territory during the first half of the last century.
But in an e-mail Tuesday, Romualdez said the pact gives him confidence that America is just as committed now as 70 years ago to his country’s rebuilding effort. But in an e-mail Tuesday, Romualdez said the pact gives him confidence that America is just as committed now as 70 years ago to his country’s rebuilding effort. He referred to the 1944 campaign by U.S. forces under Gen. Douglas MacArthur to recapture the Philippines from Japanese occupation troops during World War II.
“Than, as now, you came full force to lift us from ground zero,” he wrote. “Then, as now, you came full force to lift us from ground zero,” he wrote.