RP-US Security Cooperation in the Post-Bases Period

Abstract

This paper is a study of the long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States from a strategic perspective and how it is evolving in the post-bases period. In light of U.S. interests in the Philippines and Asia, the helpless state of the Philippine armed forces, and the “Global War on Terror,” both countries have strengthened and expanded their security cooperation. But the lack of genuine mutuality raises questions regarding the relevance of the RP-US alliance. The research is a descriptive study of RP-US alliance in the post-bases period and focuses on the salient features of the RP-US security cooperation, i.e. defense enhancement through commitment to mutual defense and U.S. assistance to the Philippines. Two aspects of security cooperation were examined: Balikatan RP-US military exercise and U.S. military assistance to the Philippines. Bilateral agreements on RP-US security cooperation were examined. Data were also gathered from various sources like newspaper articles, journals, press releases, and speeches of government officials. The study finds RP-U.S. security cooperation to be onerous and one-sided. This has far reaching implications for the Philippines as the U.S. continues to enjoy influence and access on Philippine decision making process in matters of defense as well as intervene in the country’s domestic affairs.