Insurgency in Philippines continues...22 Infantry/Special Forces troops injured in clashes.

via Update.ph

Around 22 troopers were wounded following a clash with an estimated 120 suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Saturday morning.

Major Filemon Tan, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said the incident took place around 7:55 a.m. at Sitio Bayoko, Baguindan.

The wounded troopers are from the 44th Infantry Battalion and 4th Special Forces Battalion.
Government troops were conducting combat operations when they run into the ASGs, triggering a gunbattle.

Operations are still ongoing as this posting.

Yeah.  The Philippines has an ongoing insurgency and we're about to parachute in and setup 5 new US bases?  I wonder if the threat of China equals the risk of getting drawn into a new war in the Philippines.

Oh and have no doubts.  If we have US troops on those islands then sooner or later they will be targeted, we will retaliate and we will be drawn into the fighting.