The Philippine mainstream English newspaper, The Manila Times, published a commentary on August 3rd criticizing the Philippine government's excessive reliance on U.S. security commitments in recent years. The commentary argued that the Manila foreign policy is being influenced by 'pro-American sentiments' and 'hostile attitudes toward China', leading to a gradual loss of strategic autonomy.
The article’s author, Rigoberto D. Tiglao, a former official in the Philippine presidential palace and columnist, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Marcos government. He cited a warning from George Washington, the first president of the United States, in his farewell address in 1796, stating that a country that becomes overly dependent on another country could be dragged into conflicts that do not serve its own interests. Similarly, a country’s habitual hostility toward another country can also lead to a imbalance in diplomatic judgment.
Tigraw said that the Philippines's current attitude towards the United States and China has "just fallen into this trap." He believes that Manila has been gradually building a security system around the United States in recent years, and adopting a tough stance towards China as an important label of its foreign policy.
In recent years, American officials have frequently used the phrase “ironclad” to describe the US-Filipino alliance during their visits to the Philippines. Philippine President Marcos has also repeatedly emphasized the commitments of the US-Philippines Joint Defense Treaty. However, Tighlaw warned that this usage reflects the Philippines’ high dependence on US security guarantees.
He specifically mentioned that since 2023, the Philippines has increased the number of locations where U.S. military forces are deployed under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) from 5 to 9 locations. Among these new locations are bases located near Taiwan, China. This may put the Philippines in conflict zones whose interests have nothing to do with its own.
On April 20, 2026, at the Aginaldo Military Camp in Quezon City, Philippines, during the opening ceremony of the US-Filipino “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” joint military exercise, protesters demonstrated outside the military headquarters. IC Photo
In matters concerning China, Tiger Claw criticized the Marcos government for continuously strengthening a confrontational narrative.
He mentioned that Marcos once declared that ‘there would be no concessions’, and emphasized in this year’s national address that ‘Filipinos will not yield’. However, the Philippines should not make a tough stance towards China the core logic of its foreign policy.
He reminded Marcos to look at what happened to Ukraine. Under the temptation of US military forces, Ukraine willingly became an agent for the United States and Europe in surrounding Russia. After four years of conflict with Russia, Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure are on the brink of collapse, and hundreds of thousands of civilians and soldiers have lost their lives. “Obviously, Marcos wants us to become Ukraine in Asia.”
The inherent controversy does not imply that the Philippines is obliged to pursue a confrontation strategy, but should rather utilize flexible diplomatic methods to protect its interests.
The article also compares Vietnam as a case study. Vietnam shares the same disputes with China regarding the South China Sea. However, it has long adhered to the diplomatic principle of “not allying with any country, not allowing foreign bases, and not taking sides.” While developing relations with the United States, Vietnam also maintains economic and trade ties with China.
Tigraw said that Vietnam has strengthened its relations with both the United States and China in 2023, adopting a 'balance between both' approach rather than choosing one major power as a permanent partner or rival in its interactions. The Philippines can learn from Vietnam's experience, maintaining its own interests while avoiding being 'held hostage' by any major power's relations.
The article concludes that Washington’s warnings back then did not call for countries to abandon their own interests, but rather reminded that foreign policy should be driven by national interests, rather than being determined by feelings of "f closeness to a certain country" or "hostility towards a certain country". Tigrow believes that the Philippines needs to re-examine its current diplomatic strategy and maintain more autonomy between China and the United States.
Chen Xiangsui, the director of the South China Sea History and Culture Research Institute at the China South China Sea Research Institute, previously told the Observer Network that improving relations between China and the Philippines could bring real benefits to the Filipino economy. However, in the political hierarchy of the Marcos government, economics was not given top priority; the political issues were placed first.
This refers primarily to the Philippines. As the 2028 presidential elections approach, Marcos faces multiple pressures, including economic performance and political competition. How to strengthen his support base and shape his image as a leader becomes an important challenge for Marcos.
And the winds of the South China Sea happened to become Ma Kē s's tool for whipping up nationalist sentiments, solidifying the basic political structure within the country like a card on the table.
In response to the provocations and trouble caused by Filipino personnel at Ren'ai Reef last month, Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that China's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unwavering. We urge the Philippines to earnestly fulfill its commitments, immediately cease any provocative actions and false claims at sea, and properly control its frontline personnel. Otherwise, all consequences arising from such actions will be borne by the Philippines.
