Apparently, faced with a powerful force of nature, the superpower must recognize who the real Adi Power is

A few days ago I was "strayed" to the former US military base Clark airport, about 80 km from Manila. In fact, I intended to stop by Manila before moving to Singapore after attending a conference in Cebu, but since what I can book on the internet is "budget airlines" that don't pass Manila, be stranded at Clark. Although the physical structure of the building is still very military style, Clark has now become a civilian airfield. But apparently the incident was also a lesson. Looking at Clark's physical runway and airport building, I remembered the Vietnam war. Clark since the 60s is the main base of America in Southeast Asia which became the backbone of the US invasion operation in Vietnam.

At that time the United States government was very interested in making the Philippines a "democracy etelase" in Southeast Asia. Moreover, they have failed in Vietnam. I don't know how many billions of dollars have been spent by the US government on the Philippines. For the sake of showing the countries in the region, being a US ally is the best choice. Not only building Navy bases in Subic and Air Force at Clark, the US also formed our neighboring country into a "mini US" complete with American-style democracy. And of course, the American lifestyle.

But history shows that US presence in Southeast Asia carries more harm than benefits. In addition to spreading destruction to the people of Vietnam through these two bases, the presence of US troops has contributed to the changing face of Filipino society. The most prominent, for example, is the lust-satisfying industry that mushrooms around the two bases. Angels City, which is adjacent to Clark, for example, is filled with bars, casinos and prostitution to channel the appetite of the US army. At Clark airport, flyers and advertisements to offer bars and casinos until yesterday were still very visible. As if there was no choice for Clark and Angels, besides developing the economy through the entertainment industry. Subic was not much different, even said to be even worse because US Navy soldiers were more sailing, said to be more thirsty for entertainment. And after applying all the recipes from the US teacher, has the Philippines succeeded in becoming a developed country? From a fleeting assessment there, I concluded that their economic and social achievements were still below our nation.

With all its might, at that time it would not be imagined if one day the US had to leave the two strategic bases. Protest from ASEAN countries or from major countries around it, such as China and Russia, is considered as the last wind. But in the end the US and Philippine pride base had to go out of business in 1991. And who is able to make the superpower leave? In 1991, the Pinatubo volcano located not far from Clark wriggled up from its long sleep for 500 years. At that time, a series of Pinatubo explosions that were even mentioned as including the most powerful after Krakatoa had blown ash clouds covering Southeast Asia and lava floods that destroyed all the facilities and infrastructure that were passed. Including some of the main parts of the Clark base and the city of Angels. A few days before Pinatubo's biggest explosion occurred, the US finally decided to close Clark's base forever. Yesterday from the air I could even see clearly the awful traces of the Pinatubo explosion and the lava flood path it had created. And seeing the remnants of its destructive power, it's no wonder the US military decided to leave the Philippines. Apparently, faced with a powerful force of nature, the superpower must recognize who the real Adi Power is. Hopefully it will be a lesson for all of us.