Since early 2023, Philippine authorities have been making public about Chinese actions in the contested water passage, including abuse of ships and fishermen. They have continued to use their so-called “assertive clarity” approach.
” Transparency is intended to convey the truth,” says one. We are simply practising our lawful right, and we did not start clashes”, Manalo said of the method.
” All we were trying to accomplish, in some cases, is resupply our forces or guide our sailors, yet we were subjected to harassment, intimidation, also incidents and water guns. Therefore, the best way to communicate our place is to “publicize it,”” showing the information as they are.”
DEFENCE UPGRADES
A mutual agreement requires Washington and Manila to assist support one another in a major issue because the Philippines is a long-standing US ally.
In an effort to protect its maritime interests, the Philippines announced last month that it would buy the US Typhon weapon system, which raised concerns from China that the move could lead to a local “arms race.”
At least two years are anticipated to pass before the order is perfect.
Manalo claimed that the purchase is only intended to “improve our defence capabilities and modernize our defense forces.”
” We are committed to harmony in the region. But, any kind of advancement … is really to increase our own defense capacities, and not for any type of any other type of action”.
INCOMING TRUMP PRESIDENCY
With decades of mutual support and shared goals, Manalo said he anticipates that the Philippines-US connection will be strong when Donald Trump assumes office as president on January 20.
Ferdinand Marcos, president of the Philippines, and Trump discussed the need to improve their empire after the US election in November.
” Marcos and Trump’s trade gives me confidence that things will turn out as they are,” said Trump. We seem to have a lot of popular views of the situation in this area, Manalo said.
” We now have many areas of cooperation… not just defence and military, but ( also ) economic ( and ) private sector cooperation”.
He pointed to Trump’s second term in office between 2017 and 2021, when both governments enjoyed strong relationships. Trump also hailed a “great marriage” with Philippines ‘ then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
He claimed that “our alliance has grown stronger, our relationship has grown stronger, and a lot of this defense cooperation is included in our mutual defense treaty as well as other arrangements like our Visiting Forces Agreement.”
These are based on agreements that we have had with the US for the past 75 years, and they will remain.