4-8-2024 (MANILA) A recent announcement by the United States to allocate $500 million in military funding to the Philippines has been welcomed by analysts as a timely measure to bolster Manila’s capabilities in addressing the complex challenges posed by the South China Sea dispute. With the Philippines facing financial constraints, this aid is seen as crucial in enhancing the country’s military infrastructure, troop capabilities, diplomatic initiatives, and overall deterrence.
During the annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Manila, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin unveiled the $500 million military aid package. Blinken stated that the funds would “boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this region” and help modernize the Philippine armed forces and coastguard.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s defense secretary, Gilbert Teodoro Jr., indicated that the priorities for utilizing the funds would be outlined in a new bilateral security road map. He emphasized that the aid would contribute to strengthening the Philippines’ “credible deterrent posture,” including enhancing cyber capabilities and investments under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Signed in 2014, the EDCA allows the U.S. to rotate troops into the Philippines for extended stays and operate facilities in Philippine bases. Earlier this year, Marcos Jr. increased the number of EDCA-designated bases to nine.
According to Blinken, around $128 million of the funds would go towards EDCA infrastructure projects, including boosting disaster relief response measures. Teodoro highlighted that the investments would not only serve defense purposes but also contribute to civil defense efforts, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
The latest American commitment reflects the close military ties between the Philippines and the U.S., underpinned by their 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which calls for mutual assistance in the event of aggression by an external power. President Joe Biden and other top U.S. officials have reiterated their commitment to the treaty, emphasizing that its scope extends to the South China Sea.
Sylwia Monika Gorska, a political analyst, told This Week in Asia that the funds should be deployed not only to enhance the Philippines’ defense capabilities but also in diplomatic initiatives to address the complexities of the South China Sea row. With Manila already allocating $35 billion over a decade for its military modernization plan, the cost of the project would continue to put pressure on the country’s financial situation, said Gorska, a Ph.D. holder in international relations at the University of Central Lancashire.
Gorska suggested that the aid should be used to procure advanced surveillance equipment, increase the number of multi-role vessels to balance China’s presence, and purchase aircraft required to maintain security and assert sovereignty in the disputed waters. She also emphasized the need for increased military exercises with allies, such as the Rim of the Pacific Exercise and Balikatan drills, to improve operational collaboration and interoperability.
Additionally, Gorska proposed allocating funds to support regular conferences and cooperative forums, which would help the Philippines and its partners establish stronger unified positions and negotiation strategies in response to China’s maritime activities.
Don McLain Gill, a political analyst and lecturer at De La Salle University, stressed the importance of intelligence-gathering systems for better tracking of ships in the West Philippine Sea (Manila’s name for South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone). He highlighted the need for leveraging partnerships with South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. to obtain the right technology.
Jose Antonio Custodio, a defense analyst and fellow at the Consortium of Indo-Pacific Researchers, recommended allocating a significant portion of the financial assistance towards the Philippine navy to enhance its power projection in the West Philippine Sea. He also emphasized the need for training personnel to utilize advanced systems acquired through the funding.
Chester Cabalza, a security analyst and president of the International Development and Security Cooperation, suggested investing the funds across various Philippine military units to bolster interoperability and counter emerging threats, particularly in the South China Sea. He highlighted the opportunity for Manila to play a significant role in U.S. simulations and war games in the region, contributing to strategic foresight and decision-making.
