The Philippines’ erratic president, Rodrigo Duterte appears to be playing an increasingly difficult game of “balance the Dragon and the Eagle,” making military moves to please both the U.S. and China. The recent decision by Duterte banning his country’s naval forces from joining in naval exercises with the U.S. and others in the South China Sea (SCS), has according to Asia Times, provoked “an uproar across the country, and is seen as yet another Duterte concession to Beijing.”
SEE ALSO: U.S. Raises Stakes Rejecting China’s ‘Completely Unlawful’ Sea Claims
However, adds Asia Times, on the flip side, Duterte apparently did not oppose sending an expanded Filipino naval contingent to the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2020 (RIMPAC20) in Honolulu, Hawaii in late August. The Philippines will reportedly send its newly-commissioned missile-frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) to RIMPAC20 – the world’s largest U.S.-led international warfare exercise.
Still, the surprise announcement by Duterte to ban the Philippines Navy from exercises in the SCS comes just weeks after the Philippine government called on China to comply with The Hague’s July 2016 arbitration ruling in Manila’s favor, echoing the tough new U.S. line on China’s illegal South China Sea claims.
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The pro-Beijing moves to cancel the navy’s participation in the SCS exercises also follow the positive June decision by Duterte to suspend his decision to terminate a key defense pact with the United States, at least temporarily. At the time, Military Times reported that that the Philippines is delaying its decision to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement by at least six months.
In an earlier surprise announcement, Duterte’s administration had notified the U.S. government in February, that it intended to abrogate the 1998 agreement, “which allows the entry of large numbers of American forces for joint combat training with Filipino troops and lays down the legal terms for their temporary stay,” reported Military Times.
SEE ALSO: Philippine Military Agrees to Scrap U.S. Security Agreement
This was seen as a huge blow to long-standing U.S.-Filipino military relations, and a gift to Beijing.
Reversing himself, at least temporarily, has increased the possibility of now maintaining the Agreement with the U.S., but creates turmoil in the meantime, and is seen by some as just as more “balancing” optics.
“The upshot for the Philippines,” notes Asia Times, is a “double-balancing” strategy where Duterte’s government is bent on balancing its relations with both the U.S. and China, while not appearing to be too pro-Beijing.
How long the Philippines will be able to sustain this balancing act in the face of increasing Chinese aggression, is yet to be seen.
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Need to reuse closed US bases or share with Phillppine defense forces alone for US forces facing So China Sea & update Comm facilities, logisitics & yard services for our force, reuse Clark AFB? Subic Bay?
Since military history began to relate to political territorial control of land masses, the Philippines have been always at the mercy of others. Never strong enough to defend itself or even to hold its large areas under any central control, its only defense has been it has so little to offer any aggressor. Surrounded by giant powers, its only value in the past was for a base from which to go after a larger target. Japan drove out the U.S. that took possession in 1898 as ‘war-booty’ of the War with Spain in 1941. Japan is now allied with the non-communist world that so far includes the U.S.
If the U.S. and China merge into a global Utopia, it will be run by Xi of China! The Philippines will be ignored, but ruled to Utopian perfection. Re-education camps there are easy to heat! None is needed.
Duarte must be wondering if the U.S. is also ready to surrender peacefully to the new left order waiting to win in November?
What a fucking idiot
you missed his point or you are a total idiot.
here is your typical liberal lunk head
The Philippines, a former territory. China. Both saved from Japanese aggression in Big Two. Thousands of our boys died to accomplish this. And this is the thanks we get.
Duarte is a communist, he would live hiden biden
Does the Philippines think it can bargain with Communist China? If it does, it will become a province of China, like Hong Kong.
Of course the Philippines have been taken over by Spain, by Japan, and the National language is English. Heck, the USA does not even have a National Language. Lived there two years. Beautiful country but like the USA , the politicians can be bought. It is time to decide whose side you’re on and get off the pot. Trump rewards loyalty. Trump punishes disloyalty. Time to make a deal. Everyone is waiting to see if Trump will remain president because if he’s not there then all the rules are out the window.
Ross Blankert
Now the National language of the Philippines is not English it is Tagalog, and several dialects are spoken throughout the island nation. I speak Tagalog, and four of he other languages fluently. Now in nearly every country in the World English is taught as a required second language and it has nothing to do with the USA this was started when Great Britain ruled most of World back as far as 1300. The USA is one of the few countries in the World where second language is not mandatory in schools.
Now when we have a President who thinks everything can be settled through rough talk or punishment, similar to what some do with children, and you can not do with World leaders. Now Trump pushed the Philippines away from the USA even though he respected the Autocratic leader of the Philippines.
hey robert..Guess you are a fan of the Kenyan (bow down barry)..Never saw an “ass” he could refuse to kiss.( “Ummm,yeah,but we had more “friends”) Well, with “friends” like that i’d rather sleep with alligators..At least I will KNOW what to expect !
I give full credit to Duterte. He’s trying to do the best he can for his people. He’s between a rock and a hard place. Unfortunately his problem is a rock and a hard place and China is playing for keeps. Duterte’s little tap dance may be short lived.
Excellent article by Journalist Paul Crespo. He present the facts and takes no sides, old time journalist. The NYPost the now best newspaper in our tri-state region where journalist still comes first.