Is Washington orchestrating Manila’s new security pacts as a bulwark against Beijing?

Before heading to Manila, the two senior US officials travelled to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru to discuss a number of regional security issues and “continue to build on the momentum” of the US-Japan-Philippines trilateral cooperation, according to a US State Department press release.

On July 8, Teodoro and Kamikawa signed the RAA, enabling the two nations to jointly train troops and provide mutual aid during natural disasters. It will pave the way for larger military exercises between Filipino and Japanese troops.

“This is nothing new, as historically, the US has been active behind the scenes in setting up defence and security cooperation arrangements in Southeast Asia. Even during the 1960s and early 1970s, Washington’s involvement in the planning stage made the Five Power Defense Arrangements a reality,” he added, referring to the multilateral defence agreements made between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom following Britain’s withdrawal from Southeast Asia.

Asked whether Washington is using the Philippines as its bulwark against Beijing in the Indo-Pacific, Yaacob said the phrase “using the Philippines” inaccurate, arguing instead that there is a “strategic convergence” between Washington and Manila.

“The former is trying to check China’s growing influence and potential military threat in the Indo-Pacific region, while the latter is concerned about its overlapping maritime claim with Beijing. Both see China as a security concern from different perspectives. China’s assertive and aggressive behaviour against the Philippines does help Beijing’s case. In fact, these behaviours pushed Manila to seek closer relations with