August has emerged as a pivotal month for the Philippines’ defense diplomacy, as the nation forges new alliances and strengthens existing ones in the face of mounting tensions in the South China Sea. This strategic push reflects Manila’s determination to bolster its defense capabilities and secure regional stability amid China’s growing assertiveness.
In a significant development, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made a historic visit to Manila, marking the first time a German defense chief has visited the Philippines. This visit underscored the deepening strategic ties between the two nations, who celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations. During a meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the two officials highlighted their countries’ shared concerns over maritime stability and agreed to enhance military cooperation.
The joint statement issued by the defense chiefs was clear in its opposition to any unilateral attempts to advance expansive territorial claims through force or coercion, a direct reference to China’s activities in the South China Sea. The Philippines has faced increasing pressure from China in the region, with multiple clashes between their maritime forces over the past year. These incidents have resulted in injuries to Philippine servicemen and damage to vessels, further heightening tensions.
Pistorius’ visit followed a historic two-plus-two meeting between Philippine and American diplomatic and defense leaders in Manila, where the United States announced a new $500 million military aid package to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This aid is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Philippines’ defense capabilities, with the country planning to spend up to $35 billion over the next decade to enhance its naval, air force, and cyber capacities.
During their discussions, Teodoro emphasized the Philippines’ interest in engaging Germany as a possible supplier of advanced weapons systems, particularly in areas such as command and control, anti-access/area denial, maritime domain awareness, and aerial domain capabilities. This move is in line with Manila’s broader strategy of “multi-alignment,” which involves diversifying its defense partnerships beyond traditional allies like the United States.
In addition to Germany, the Philippines has been actively deepening its defense ties with Japan. Last month, the two countries conducted their first-ever joint drills in the South China Sea, signaling a significant step forward in their security cooperation. This came on the heels of the signing of a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo, which aims to regularize and expand military cooperation and defense deals between the two US allies.
The joint drills and the RAA reflect Japan’s growing role in regional security and its commitment to supporting the Philippines in the face of Chinese maritime assertiveness. Over the coming months and years, Manila and Tokyo are expected to conduct more frequent and larger military exercises while also negotiating the transfer of modern weapons systems to bolster the AFP’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has also reached out to Vietnam, another Southeast Asian nation with its own concerns about China’s activities in the South China Sea. This week, the two countries kicked off their first-ever joint coast guard exercises, further underscoring Manila’s effort to build a broad network of partners in the region. The drills are part of a broader effort to enhance maritime cooperation and security in the South China Sea, where both nations have overlapping territorial claims.
The Philippines and Vietnam are also exploring tighter defense cooperation, with a focus on forging maritime border delimitation agreements to address their overlapping claims. This cooperation is seen as a model for other claimants in the region, demonstrating that it is possible for countries with competing claims to work together on shared security concerns.
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint of tension between China and its neighbors, with multiple countries laying claim to various islands, reefs, and maritime features in the region. China’s expansive claims, encapsulated in its so-called “nine-dash line,” cover nearly the entire South China Sea and overlap with the claims of several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
One of the most contentious areas in the South China Sea is the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines has established a de facto military base aboard the grounded BRP Sierra Madre vessel. China has claimed the shoal as part of its territory and has tightened its control over the area in recent years, opposing any efforts by the Philippines to reinforce its presence.
The Second Thomas Shoal is a low-tide elevation that cannot support sustained habitation without regular resupply. The Philippines has maintained that its resupply missions to the shoal are purely for humanitarian purposes, but China suspects that Manila is fortifying its military facilities with construction materials. Reports suggest that the Philippine Navy has successfully shipped sufficient materials to stabilize the collapsing facility for at least another decade.
In response, China has stepped up its efforts to intimidate and intercept Philippine resupply missions to the area, leading to several dangerous confrontations. In mid-June, a particularly perilous incident occurred when Chinese Coast Guard forces boarded and disarmed Philippine naval officers en route to the Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese forces seized several rifles and other supplies, and the ensuing skirmish left several Filipino soldiers injured, with one losing a thumb.
In the wake of these clashes, the Philippine government opted to pursue a diplomatic solution rather than escalate the situation further by invoking the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. After negotiations with Beijing, the two sides reached an “interim agreement” to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea.
According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the agreement allows for the continued resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre for humanitarian purposes without prejudicing either side’s claims in the region. However, the details of the agreement remain murky, with both sides offering differing interpretations of the deal.
China has claimed that the Philippines agreed to notify Beijing and seek permission before conducting any resupply missions, while Filipino officials have insisted that they only agreed to an exchange of information on the ground. This ambiguity has raised concerns about the sustainability of the agreement and the potential for future conflicts in the area.
Despite the temporary de-escalation, the situation in the South China Sea remains highly volatile. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose “Babe” Romualdez warned that the region faces a “very serious situation” and emphasized the need for the Philippines to defend its territory and sovereignty. “We can’t just sit down and allow another country to do whatever they want and claim another country’s territory,” Romualdez said in a recent interview.
While the Philippines has strengthened its alliance with the United States in recent years, the Marcos Jr administration has been careful to avoid aligning too closely with any single power. Instead, Manila has pursued a strategy of “multi-alignment,” seeking to build a broad network of partnerships with like-minded countries around the world.
This approach is evident in the Philippines’ recent engagements with Germany, Japan, and Vietnam, as well as its ongoing efforts to cultivate ties with other nations in Southeast Asia and beyond. By diversifying its defense partnerships, the Philippines aims to enhance its strategic position in the region and reduce its dependence on any single ally.
During his visit to Manila, German Defense Minister Pistorius expressed his support for the 2016 arbitral tribunal award under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which rejected the bulk of China’s claims in the South China Sea. Pistorius emphasized the importance of upholding the international maritime order and called for continued dialogue and communication to de-escalate tensions in the region.
“We need to do more than stand up for UNCLOS. We need to contribute to de-escalation. This is only possible if we keep all channels of communication open, including those with China,” Pistorius said during his visit.
The Philippines’ growing ties with Germany, Japan, and Vietnam reflect a broader shift in its foreign policy, as it seeks to balance its relationships with major powers while also cultivating stronger ties with regional partners. This multi-alignment strategy is aimed at enhancing the Philippines’ strategic autonomy and ensuring that it can navigate the complex and often volatile dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
As the Philippines continues to navigate the challenges posed by China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, it is clear that the country is committed to strengthening its defense capabilities and building a broad network of alliances and partnerships. The recent engagements with Germany, Japan, and Vietnam are just the latest examples of Manila’s efforts to enhance its strategic position in the region.
Over the coming months and years, the Philippines is likely to continue expanding its defense ties with like-minded nations, while also pursuing diplomatic solutions to manage tensions in the South China Sea. While the situation in the region remains highly fluid, Manila’s multi-alignment strategy offers a path forward that balances defense readiness with diplomatic engagement.
The South China Sea will undoubtedly remain a focal point of regional tensions, but with a growing network of allies and partners, the Philippines is better positioned to defend its interests and contribute to regional stability. As the Marcos Jr administration continues to pursue its multi-alignment strategy, the coming years will be crucial in determining the future of the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
