Recently, senior Philippine officials reiterated their plan to procure the US Typhon mid-range missile system currently deployed in the Philippines and linked the South China Sea issue to the Typhon missile system. Will the Philippines gain the security it seeks by repeatedly stirring up trouble in the South China Sea with the help of external forces?
Since the Marcos administration took office, the Philippines' defense and security strategy has undergone significant changes. The most notable shift is the introduction of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which shifts the country's defense focus from a land-centric approach to maritime priorities. It designates the security of its claimed exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, surrounding waters, and archipelagic sea lanes as top interests, while, for the first time, including the Taiwan Strait and cross-strait situation among its key concerns.
Building on this new defense concept, the Marcos administration has formulated a new national security strategy, with reliance on major powers as its core theme. Manila aims to leverage external assistance to accelerate its defense modernization while eagerly anticipating direct security support from Western allies and partners. In essence, it has entrusted nearly all of its national security interests to those foreign powers.
To implement this strategy, the Philippines has expanded access to its military bases for the US and allowed the deployment of the US mid-range missile system on its territory. Meanwhile, it signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan and is in talks to sign similar agreements with Canada and France to attract major powers outside the region to establish a military presence in the country. Additionally, Manila is actively integrating into small-multilateral mechanisms such as US-Japan-Philippines and US-Japan-Philippines-Australia mechanisms, aiming to build a security network anchored by the US.
From the perspective of the Philippine government, the "reliance on major powers" strategy is seen as a path to security. However, this is merely wishful thinking on the part of the Philippine government and certain "right-wing" forces within the country. Analysts point out that the pledged security assurances of Washington to Manila are merely part of the strategic deterrence and diplomatic considerations of the US. The Philippine government's "reliance" strategy may provide emotional comfort to decision-makers, but it will not bring true security to the country.
For a long time, ASEAN has adhered to a great power balance strategy and a security framework based on multilateralism. This approach provides a foundation for Southeast Asian countries to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Cold War and to collectively confront security challenges. However, the one-sided support of the Marcos administration for the expansion of US military hegemony in Southeast Asia, particularly by allowing the deployment of the mid-range missile system to the "first island chain", deviates from ASEAN's security strategy.
On the other hand, the Philippines attempts to gain undue benefits in the South China Sea by leveraging support from external powers. It repeatedly provokes tensions and even uses the South China Sea issue as a pretext for the US deployment of the mid-range missile system. It actually pushes the region toward a gunpowder keg.
For a long time, the peace and stability of the South China Sea have been maintained through joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries. The most important experience is to insist on managing differences through dialogue and consultation between states directly involved and to uphold the shared responsibility of China and ASEAN countries in maintaining peace at the sea. The US Typhon mid-range missile system is a strategically offensive weapon, with a range covering most Southeast Asian countries. By cooperating with the US in introducing the Typhon system, the Philippines is bringing geopolitical confrontation and the risks of an arms race into the region, which will bring harm to others and themselves. Relying on the "charity" of the West and ceding control of its national defense, the Philippines is not securing safety but inviting disaster.
Editor's Note: Originally published on news.cri.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
