2017 ADMM and ADMM-Plus: Challenges for Philippine Defense Diplomacy (original) (raw)

Developing a Credible Defense Posture for the Philippines: From the Aquino to the Duterte Administrations

Since 2011, the Aquino administration has bolstered the development of a credible external defense posture of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the face of China’s territorial expansion in the South China Sea. This move entailed the upgrading of the Philippine Navy’s and the Philippine Air Force’s capabilities for maritime domain awareness and naval interdiction. The Aquino administration also anchored its strategic agenda on the 60-year-old Philippines-U.S. alliance by signing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The election of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the 16th president of the Philippines, however, generated uncertainties on whether or not he will continue building the AFP’s territorial defense capabilities. Eventually, Duterte decided to continue the Aquino administration’s build-up as a hedge, in case he should find it imperative in the future to pursue his predecessor’s policy of challenging China’s expansive claim in the South China Sea. The article concludes that like Aquino’s security policy, the Duterte administration is also committed to building up the Philippine military’s credible defense posture—in light of the growing uncertainties in the region marked by China’s emergence and the perceived retreat of the United States as a Pacific power. Key words: credible defense, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Rodrigo Duterte, South China Sea, U.S. alliance 自2011年起, 阿基诺政府就已加强了菲律宾武装部队(Armed Forces of the Philippines

Alliance, Partnerships, And The Philippines' National Security Strategy

Eurasia Review, 2018

At eve of the 2018 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, European Council President Donald Tusk, in response to the criticisms from President Trump, reminded Washington to “appreciate your allies, after all you don’t have that many.” Tusk also called on Europe “spend more on your [defense], because everyone respects an ally that is well-prepared and equipped.” The same message is also true for the members of a network of alliances and partnerships—particularly for relatively smaller and weaker states, as well as their leaders—in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, a region facing immense foreign policy challenges against the backdrop of major powers competing for geopolitical preeminence. https://www.eurasiareview.com/03122018-alliance-partnerships-and-the-philippines-national-security-strategy-analysis/

The Role of Middle Powers in the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): The Case of the Special Japan-Australia Strategic Partnership and the Philippines

Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 2019

This article explores the efforts of Japan and Australia to enhance the naval capability of third countries—specifically the Philippines—threatened by the rise of China. Considered as middle powers, both countries are members of two associations of maritime democracies, namely: the Democratic Security Diamond (DSD), and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). Since the formation of their special strategic partnership, Japan and Australia have jointly assisted in building up the capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The recent dramatic shift in Philippine foreign policy direction fosters this triangular security relationship. On the one hand, President Rodrigo Duterte, in distancing the Philippines from the United States (the country’s traditional ally) favors closer security ties with Japan and Australia. On the other hand, Japan and Australia want to prevent the Philippines from gravitating closer to China’s orbit of influence and power. Gradually, however, this development can either modify or erode the American hub-and-spoke system of alliance in East Asia and increase the spoke-to-spoke links leading to the creation of minilateral and plurilateral security arrangements in the Indo–Pacific regio

The Dynamics of Intra-ASEAN Relations: Implications for Regional Defense Diplomacy

NDCP Executive Policy Brief, 2019

December 2019 will mark the end of the current work program of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM). The work program identifies specific areas of cooperation among the ADMM’s members, as well as cooperation under the ADMM-Plus platform. Indeed, the work program guides the efforts of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus in advancing multilateralism in the region. Mindful of the organization’s diplomatic accomplishments, it is likewise important to understand the limitations of ASEAN in promoting multilateralism in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Thus, this policy brief aims to discuss the dynamics of intra-ASEAN and its implications for regional defense diplomacy. Thereafter, the paper shall identify some policy considerations in furthering regional defense diplomacy efforts, specifically for the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus.

"The 21st Century Philippine-U.S. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA): The Philippines' Policy in Facilitating the Obama Administration's Strategic Pivot to Asia"

The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 2014

The article examines the reasons behind the Aquino Administration’s instantaneous support for the Obama Administration’s pivot to Asia as the Philippines negotiated and signed a framework agreement on enhanced defense cooperation with the U.S. This outright backing stems from President Aquino’s determination to counter China’s expansionism in the South China Sea. The 2012 Scarborough Shoal stand-off between the Philippines and China has validated the immediacy of this security arrangement which jibes with the U.S. strategic policy. In conclusion, the article contends that a small power like the Philippines--- when confronted by an emergent and potentially expansionist power—is not necessarily helpless since it has foreign policy choices, as well as the power to chart its own destiny.

Defence Diplomacy in ASEAN: Running in Circles?

RSIS Commentary, 2021

Defence multilateralism through the ADMM and ADMM-Plus remains focused on diplomatic processes, rather than shaping strategic outcomes. Is it time for regional policymakers to review this?