‘US-PH defense ties to prosper under Trump’

The Philippines remains a vital geostrategic location for global trade, indicating that even under President-elect Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, US-Philippine defense cooperation will continue to progress, retired Ambassador Marilyn Alarilla said.

“Considering the role of the Philippines in maintaining maritime security in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, US-PH defense relations are anticipated to progress under Trump 2.0,” Alarilla, who is now with De La Salle University, told Manila Standard.

“With 24% of global trade passing annually through the sea lanes of the South China Sea, maintaining freedom of navigation is essential to avoid supply chain disruptions and to ensure cost efficiency in import and export transactions,” Alarilla added.

While Trump’s “America First” policy might suggest prioritizing US national interests over foreign relations, Alarilla explained that “the state of regional and international peace and security has serious consequences on a country’s economic, social, and political stability.”

Alarilla added that the defense relationship is also expected to continue with advancements in “technological capabilities, enhancing maritime domain awareness through improved maritime surveillance and information-sharing for threat assessment and preventive strategies.”

Regarding Trump’s hawkish stance against China, Alarilla noted that while there are areas of competition between the US and China, there are also potential areas for cooperation. 

Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro meanwhile said the Philippines will not ever take any pieces of advice from a “truth distorter.”

In an ambush interview, Teodoro said that it is a waste of airtime to share the claims of China as they only believe in their own narratives.

“I think the whole world knows who is on the right path and the wrong path. Definitely, you know, we cannot take advice from people who distort the truth and nobody believes them anyway ano. So, I think it’s a waste of air time to broadcast the claims of China because only their leadership believes in what they say anyway.” He reiterated.

Teodoro also noted that the Philippines will continue to execute its capability no matter what China says. “We have the force of international law on our side, not purely Philippine law.  China does not have the force of law on its side. It does not have a right on its side. That’s why they’re leftist,” he explained.

He also said Philippine and US representatives will continue to hold bilateral talks.  Teodoro further said the new Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy has been instructed to continue ongoing defense programs under the Comprehensive Armed Forces Development Concept, which outlines the strategic and operational goals for the Armed Forces.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “US-PH defense cooperation to continue amid Trump’s ‘America First’ policy.”