With a major joint exercise in the Philippines underway, liberty is all but secured for the more than 6,000 troops involved.
Liberty policy has been tight in the Philippines since the October killing of Jennifer Laude, allegedly at the hands of Marine PFC Joseph Pemberton, who is on trial for the slaying.
The current policy in place for Balikatan 2015 — the name of the exercise means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog — limits sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen to eating at restaurants inside their hotels or within easy walking distance.
Bars and nightclubs? Out of the question, according to U.S. Pacific Command, which set and is enforcing the policy.