The chance to see the world is one of the biggest reasons sailors and Marines enlist and stay in. But for the nearly 6,000 U.S. troops participating in a major exercise in the Philippines, liberty call it has been all but denied for no fault of their own.
U.S. service members are restricted to their hotels or nearby restaurants; bars and nightclubs are off limits, even sightseeing tours or trips to a movie or shopping mall are barred — orders handed down after the October killing of a Filipino woman, allegedly by a Marine who now faces trial in the Philippines.
Troops may only eat at their hotels or restaurants within walking distance. Bars and nightclubs and much else are off-limits.
((can they go sightseeing???))
The high-profile case that has inflamed renewed decades-old tensions between the allies. The liberty restrictions are meant to help avoid another incident that could rupture carefully managed political maneuverings aimed at restoring a mutually beneficial relationship in a region of increasing strategic importance.
help steer the relationship back onto a course onto firm footing during a politically sensitive t.This is collective punishment in its worst form and breaks the implied contract that those who serve will get to explore the world.
The curtailed liberty must only be a short-term recourse to ensure that U.S. troops aren’t accosted by locals upset over the October alleged killing of a Filipino woman. A Marine has been charged with her murder and is standing trial in the Philippines in the high-profile case that has renewed decades-old tensions between the allies.
But to restrict the liberty of all for the misdeeds of the very, very few is unfair and demoralizing. These Troops are adults and deserve to be treated as such. adults.As soon The current restrictions value expediency over fairness. wisdom. Surely smarter actions can be taken that tighten liberty controls without stripping sailors and Marines of the experience of immersing oneself in a foreign culture.
respect reflect as public fervor subsides, the brass should resume normal liberty rules for U.S. troops in the Philippines.
The brass should also expand opportunities for positive and constructive liberty activities, experiences, whether that’s volunteering for a local cause or going on a guided sightseeing tours or adventure jaunts. These experiences are often the most memorable from a deployment and can build mutual respect and understanding towards the people of other nations.
As the U.S. looks to deepen ties to the Philippines, it only makes sense to use their best ambassadors — sailors and Marines. Long-term, punishing liberty restrictions are counter-productive and unfair.
