September 3, 2025
MANILA – The Philippines may be in a state of tension and strategic competition between the United States and China, but for a defense and international relations analyst, this somehow presents the country with an advantage.
Chester Cabalza, president of the think tank International Development and Security Cooperation said strategically dealing with China while being allied with the US is the “biggest asset” of the Philippines.
“Not all nations are given this unique geopolitical importance,” he told INQUIRER.net.
Last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines has an “independent foreign policy,” stressing that in a sense, “there is no need to […] balance our relationship between the US and China.”
READ: PH fight for sovereignty irks China, draws it closer to US
Both the US and China are considered as the Philippines’ “strongest partner,” at least based on how Marcos described the two competing nations – China for economic stability and the US for defense and security.
As Cabalza pointed out, the Philippines is presented with something that could be of help in navigating its desired strategic foresights of creating a regional order while patching up all strategic interests of great powers and advancing its own interests.
READ: US, PH discuss more missile system deployments
“Co-existence with the projection of powers of China and the US is a form of national resiliency,” he said, explaining that it is how the Philippines can nurture its own interests of securing a strong national defense and becoming a wealthy nation.
He said “it is but natural for the Philippines to opt for an independent foreign policy, veering away from too much dependence with the US and start a policy diversification with other countries economically and culturally.”
Last June, Marcos asked the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. to promote the Philippines as a “dependable” economic partner and help enhance its bilateral relations with China.
“Stronger ties mean better trade, greater investments, and enhanced collaboration,” he said.
But in July, he pointed out that “we are essentially concerned with the defense of our territory and the exercise of our sovereign rights” and that “whether we do this not alone, we need to do this with our partners.”
“Again, our strongest partner is – has always been the United States,” Marcos said.