Name: Katrine Joy Dancil Azuelo

Course & Section: AB Foreign Service 302

Subject: International Political Economy
Date: 05 March 2018
Professor: Jumel G. Estrañero

Philippines and Its Alliances: Strategic and Skeptical

“No man is an island.” Contemporarily, no state can sustain its own. There will be, and there must
be a relationship established with other different states, although these relationships might cause trouble.

The relationship between the Philippines and the United States was referred as a “special
relationship” as it was built and maintained for a long period of time already. Both were bonded by history.
It started as a “friendly act”, since the US originally, according to history helped us to be free from the
Spaniards. However, after the “friendly act”, they started colonizing us. Years and years have passed, the
Philippines gained independence, however, up until now, it’s like we’re not absolutely unimpeded. This is
what President Duterte is trying to defy. Years ago, we were a colony of the United States, how about try
to distance ourselves and explore what we are capable of without them? Up until the term of former
President Benigno Aquino III, the Philippines acts as an acolyte to the US. It’s as if everything must be
patterned and cued by them. Duterte is mostly skeptical about what US wants, and this thinking is very
commendable. He wanted to be free, although not absolutely from the grip of the past colonizers. He
then insisted since the beginning of his administration to pursue an independent foreign policy. He means
by this is a foreign policy independent from the United States. In support to this move, by the year 2016,
he announced the halt of the joint military exercises, another is the withdrawal of the American military
troops in war-stricken areas in Mindanao. He believes that those American soldiers will just complicate
the situation between the US and the Philippines due to the records of killed and beheaded American
soldiers by the terrorists in the area.

One of the policies started by President Duterte which escalated to the international scene is his
war on drugs. It was reported that he violated human rights because of the extrajudicial killings. The US is
one of the most concerned about this issue. The President remained valiant and bold. Anyone who
questions his campaign against drugs and drug related crimes is no avail to him. He even cursed at former
President Obama for intervening with this issue which then resulted to unhealthy relationship between
the two leaders. However, it was different with the later President Trump who commended Duterte’s war
on drugs, saying it was a great job. Despite of the shattered relationship between Obama and Duterte, we
can assume that it will be different when it comes with Trump. Yet, it’s too early to conclude whether the
two will become good friends or enemies in the future.

Up until now, US is still involved with the geopolitical game together with China with regards to
the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. What President Duterte wants is to address this issue in
the “Filipino way”, not because the United States cued it, but because it is the best for serving our national
interest. There’s no way that US is doing all the help and bolstering for the sake of the Philippines alone.
It’s of course one way or another, for the sake of itself. US is probably one of those masked states waiting
for everyone to fall for their traps. Remember, way back years ago, we thought Philippines was saved
from the hands of the Spaniards, but then later we knew, they are already the ones exploiting us. This is
not far from re-occurring in the present. Thus, this somehow justified President Duterte’s skepticism
about our dependent relationship with the United States. However, to make it precise, the President’s
goal is to reduce the activities with the United States, not to completely stay away from it. We still need
the United States especially in sustaining our economy.

Then, what happens if suddenly, you found someone better? There’s a chance you might ‘break
up’ (just like what’s happening with US-RP) with the former, and then stick closer to the better one. This
might probably explain the sudden shift of the Philippines’ foreign policy. President Duterte might have
made the excuse of pursuing an independent foreign policy from US as an escape, but on the further side
he had seen the “better” in China. Even Trump reiterated that US had become weaker, and its economy
isn’t growing as much as China’s. So, the Philippines as a strategic ally to the US went to the fence of China
and Russia. President Duterte in one of his interviews, frankly said that it is with China where the
Philippines can best rely in terms of its economy.

Close ties between Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China was established
during the 1970’s. Since then, the relationship between the two are free from hostilities despite the
emergence of the territorial disputes. On its first stages, both parties strived to meet solutions through
bilateral negotiations. Both also established good economic ties through bilateral trade and several
agreements for the development in their trade and commerce. Philippines benefitted from China’s
sudden boom in economy. The relationship between the two seems to be satisfactory until the 2012
Scarborough Shoal Standoff. Tensions escalated between the two as China advanced their claims in the
territories. They deployed naval fleets in the Scarborough Shoal, and even conducted illegal poaching
activities within. They insist their historic claims over the territories and presented a map depicting their
notable “nine dash line”. The Philippines was then provoked. RP decided to resort on the Arbitral Tribunal
arguing that China’s claim is not conforming to the constitution of the sea. By 2016, the Permanent Court
of Arbitration had its decision favoring the Philippines. However, PRC remained untamed. They insisted
that they won’t conform to any of the decisions of the court.

As we see it, the on going territorial disputes between the two may be the reason of the
obliteration of their relationship. However, President Duterte came into the scenario. As aforesaid, he
wanted an independent foreign policy from the United States, moreover this means closer dependency
to China, and Russia. As soon as the present administration came into life, the relationship with China
became warm. Duterte was then successful in restoring the almost-shattering relationship between the
two states. Some even referred the present ties as a “golden period”. China has been extending help to
the Philippines. They even commended President Duterte’s war on drugs, also, they donated money for
the rehabilitation of terrorist-stricken area of Marawi City. They are also reiterating that they are up to
extend a helping hand whenever Philippines may need help. However, this looks very far from having a
solution on the issue of the territorial disputes. China is continuing its cabbage strategy despite the
Declaration of Code of Conduct. The President was seen condemned by many of the critics because they
think that the President is easily giving away the territories to the other party. However, I do think that
the actions and comments shown by the President is just a strategy to pull China closer to us until we earn
a huge opportunity to change the game. Well, if we look at it closer, we cannot really act as if we’re
capable of everything in front of China. China is a rising hegemon. Probably a superpower which even the
United States cannot be compared to. Its military is no way comparable from the Philippines. One wrong
move, and the next thing we’ll knew, Philippines is already engaged into a war. And if this happens, there’s
a very small to zero chance for the Philippines to get up.

Though the China is getting warmer towards the Philippines, there are many reasons to be
skeptical about it. They’re acting very generous towards us, with all the money donating and such, but on
the other side, our territories are being exploited by them. The more we accept things from them, the
more we cannot resist from them. Joint explorations are okay, but the Philippines might be still the one
degraded. It will still not be equal. Imagine how advanced technology China has compared to the
Philippines. Imagine Chinese fishermen catching fishes at the same area, at the same time with the Filipino
fishermen. Imagine the boats they were using. Chinese fishermen, with the advancement of their
technology probably caught 10 tons of fishes, while Filipino fishermen are far from it.

Undoubtedly, China is a rising power. United States as we all know is a long-standing hegemon.
However, contemporarily, considering some of the factors such as China’s advancement in its military and
its economy, the US may fall back from its position. Actually, at the present, it’s already happening. The
United States has many lapses towards fulfilling its promises towards the Philippines. It failed on
protecting the territories of the Philippines from the claims of China. The US is capable of doing so,
however it is not ready for the consequences that will be brought by China once they are contested.

We can assume that one of the best moves done by the President is to shift allies. Other than the
Philippines’ relationship with US and China, it shall also try to explore having closer ties with other
countries most primarily with Japan. Japan, despite its size is one of those emerging countries, especially
in terms of the economy. The Philippines is one of those countries having outdated technologies, but
Japan is one of those most advanced countries when it comes to technology. Hence, we can benefit a lot
if we engage with Japan more often. Last year, Japan reportedly sent several donations and support to
President Duterte and the Philippines. However, some critics say that there are possibilities that the ties
between China and Japan are getting warmer, although slowly. Hence, if this happens, the relationship
between Philippines, China, and Japan will expect lesser threats.

In ten years’ time, there may be modification in the present structure of global politics. There may
be changes in the security of Asia Pacific, particularly regarding the issue of the South China Sea dispute.
China as realists, will never be tamed by any other existing authorities. The law will always be themselves,
and not some international courts will ever defy their sovereignty. By 2030 or so, China may be the world’s
superpower. Only if problems within the communist party won’t emerge. There will be other nations rising
aside from China, to wit, Japan and India. United States may experience a fall back because its growth
became stagnant. The Philippines may be dependent mostly with China. The issue regarding the South
China Sea disputes will remain unsolved until countries adhere with what China wants.

Thus, the President may continue engaging with other states, but he should not get rid of the
skepticism. He has a point when he says there’s no good with too much dependency with the United
States. All through those years of dependency did not resulted to any developments. National interest
shall always be the paramount consideration when it comes to the relations of the Philippines with other
states. The government shall effort further in the enhancement of its military forces. It shall seek effective
measures in advancing its technologies. It shall impose policies in achieving a growing economy. Filipinos
shall develop a good sense of nationalism.