Philippines (Washington Insider Magazine) —Following a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 12, the Philippines is preparing for an extensive joint military exercise with the US and Japan from April 22 to May 10. This training, known as Balikatan, marks the 39th annual event between the US and Philippines, aimed at enhancing military coordination and readiness between the allies.
More than 16,000 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military will participate this year. Additionally, troops from the Australian Defence Force and, for the first time, the French Navy will join. Fourteen other nations, including India, Canada, and the UK, will participate as international observers. According to an official statement from the US Embassy in the Philippines, Balikatan supports the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty by strengthening the defense partnership.
Following the summit, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed the creation of a trilateral maritime dialogue between the Philippines, Japan, and the US, which aims to enhance maritime coordination in the region. This move has been viewed as a strategic step toward bolstering the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea, where tensions with China continue to rise. The PCG stated that the new trilateral maritime exercise will improve interoperability and cooperation among the three nations.
In a related development, the Philippines and Japan are finalizing a reciprocal access agreement to facilitate easier movement of military forces between the two nations for joint exercises. The US and the Philippines already have a similar arrangement known as the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows for the rotation of American forces in the Philippines.
Philippine Shift Toward US and Japan for Defense Cooperation
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to deepen military ties with the US and Japan has been widely commended by defense analysts. This shift represents a departure from the pro-China stance of former President Rodrigo Duterte, under whose administration the Philippines attempted to forge closer economic ties with Beijing. Analysts like Derek Grossman from Rand Corporation see the trilateral summit as a strategic move to counter China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, though it does carry risks. Yusuke Takagi, an associate professor at Japan’s National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, said the growing presence of Chinese vessels in the region makes it prudent for the Philippines to strengthen partnerships with allies.
Under Duterte’s administration, Manila’s closer relations with China brought minimal benefits. China’s Belt and Road Initiative did not result in significant infrastructure projects for the Philippines. This has prompted Marcos to explore multilateral partnerships that could also enhance the Philippines’ maritime security capabilities.
Chinese Reaction and Public Opinion in the Philippines
Following the trilateral summit, the joint statement from the US, Japan, and the Philippines expressed serious concerns over China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea, specifically targeting Beijing’s actions that challenge Philippine sovereignty. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized any efforts to heighten tensions in the region, stating that such actions undermine the strategic security and interests of other nations.
Anti-China sentiment has grown in the Philippines, with many Filipinos concerned about China’s aggressive maritime expansion. Despite Marcos’ closer alignment with the US and Japan, experts believe the Philippines will still seek to balance its relations with China. Julio Amador, CEO of Amador Research Services in the Philippines, sees the trilateral summit as a significant diplomatic achievement but stresses the need to manage relations with China carefully.
Analysts like Tokyo University’s Wataru Kusaka believe that while Marcos aims to reinforce ties with the US and Japan, he is cautious not to overly antagonize China, which remains a vital neighbor due to its geographic and economic proximity. Kusaka noted that the Philippines must carefully navigate its relationship with both China and the US, and Japan, emphasizing that the US and Japan should avoid pressuring Manila into taking sides.
In strengthening defense partnerships with the US and Japan, the Philippines seeks to secure its interests in the South China Sea while retaining diplomatic space to negotiate and ease tensions with China. The outcome of this balanced approach will be pivotal in shaping the country’s regional strategy going forward.