`Filipinos want U.S. forces back'

`Filipinos want U.S. forces back'

MANILA (AFP): A majority of Filipinos want U.S. forces to
return to the country, some two years after they left, a survey
of residents here showed yesterday.

The survey by ABS-CBN, the country's largest broadcasting firm
last month, found that despite negative publicity against the
U.S. presence and the decision by the Philippine senate to close
all US bases in 1992, 54 percent of respondents in the capital
"advocate the return of the U.S. bases."

On the question of independence it found that 27 percent
believed the Philippines should be more independent from the
United States, while 42 percent said the pull-out had taught
Filipinos to be more independent.

Among the top reasons cited for the return were the income
generated by the troops and the country's need for military
assistance and security.