The more "dependent" the Philippines are, the less "secure" they will be.
The Philippines is seeking to accelerate the modernization of its national defense through foreign support.
CGTN – Recently, high-ranking Philippine officials reiterated the purchase of the Typhon medium-range missile system deployed by the United States on Philippine territory, linking the South China Sea issue to this military installation as well. Could the Philippines achieve the security it desires by attempting to destabilize the South China Sea issue through external forces?
The Philippines seeks to accelerate the modernization of its national defense through foreign support and even hopes to obtain direct assistance from its Western allies and partners. In doing so, they are entrusting their national security interests almost entirely to third parties.
For the Philippine government, the strategy of "relying on major powers" may bring a sense of security. But this is merely an illusion held by the Philippine government and the country's right-wing forces.
Analysts argue that the generous security pledge from the United States to the Philippines is nothing more than strategic deterrence and diplomatic consideration.
The Philippine government's "dependency" strategy may bring "comfort" to decision-makers, but it does not bring security to the Philippines and may even lead to serious consequences. One direct repercussion is the negative impact on regional security institutions led by countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
For a long time, ASEAN has pursued a strategy of "balance of great powers" and a security framework based on multilateralism. This provides a foundation for Southeast Asian countries to avoid a new Cold War and jointly address security challenges.
On the other hand, the Philippines are attempting to gain undue advantages with the help of countries outside the region, provoking continuous disputes and causing problems. They even used the South China Sea issue as a pretext for the US to deploy the medium-range missile system. In reality, the Philippines are turning the South China Sea into a "powder keg."
The Philippines will not be able to guarantee its own security, but only disasters, if it remains dependent on the West and leaves its national defense in the hands of third parties.
Translation: Shi Liang
Review by: Denise Melo