UNITED States Ambassador Lee Lipton’s arrival in Manila on June 28, 2026, is a reminder of the persistent influence of the US on the Philippines at a time when the Indo-Pacific is being reshaped by intensifying US-China rivalry. His assumption of office is timely, coinciding with the commemoration of Philippine-American Friendship Day on July 4.
For over 70 years, the Philippines has relied on its security alliance with the US for defense guarantees through treaties, military assistance and political commitments. While this alliance can provide deterrence and capacity‑building, it can also constrain Manila’s ability to pursue a genuine independent foreign policy.
The Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement tasked to implement the Mutual Defense Treaty illustrate how US imperatives continue to shape Philippine defense posture. Lipton’s mandate to accelerate modernization under the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act also deepens reliance on America. While such initiatives strengthen the Philippine military, they also risk entrenching dependency at the expense of independent decision‑making.
National security requires more than external guarantees. It demands autonomy rooted in domestic capacity, diversified partnerships and a foreign policy that reflects Philippine interests rather than external agendas. Continuing reliance on Washington exposes the Philippines to the volatility of US politics.
Lipton’s close ties to President Trump underscore the vulnerability of hinging Philippine security on the whims of a single administration. Manila’s paramount task is to build Indigenous defense industries, deepen partnerships with Southeast Asian neighbors, and sustain strategic cooperation with Japan, South Korea, India and Europe. Only through strategic autonomy can the Philippines prove its capacity to engage all powers without being beholden to any.
Regional stability is also at stake. The South China Sea remains the fulcrum of great power competition. Lipton’s hard-line stance against China aligns with Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, but it may escalate tensions if not tempered by diplomacy. The Philippines, therefore, must avoid becoming a proxy battleground.
The Philippines’ role as Asean chairman in 2026 offers an opportunity to champion regional mechanisms that reduce friction, promote confidence‑building and advance a code of conduct with China. Stability will not be achieved by military posturing alone. It also requires sustained dialogue and multilateral cooperation.
Philippines–China relations demand a careful reset. Beijing is both competitor and partner: a source of maritime disputes, yet also a vital player in trade, investment and infrastructure. American initiatives like Lipton’s push for the Luzon Economic Corridor and critical minerals cooperation underscore Washington’s bid to counter China’s economic footprint. Manila must resist framing this as a zero‑sum choice. Engagement with China should persist in areas of mutual benefit like education, culture and commerce while disputes are contained through legal safeguards and transparency. By showing goodwill without yielding sovereignty, the Philippines can steady relations with Beijing even as it fortifies ties with Washington.
The broader challenge is dismantling the ingrained belief that Philippine security is synonymous with US protection. Such a mindset entrenches dependency and erodes confidence in genuine independence. Strategic autonomy requires a paradigm shift — treating alliance with the US as leverage, not reliance.
The Philippines must chart its own course, leveraging partnerships to advance national interests rather than subordinating them to external strategies. Autonomy is the only way to ensure choices reflect Philippine priorities rather than external pressures. Lipton’s tenure will test Manila’s resolve. His entrepreneurial background may inject fresh energy into economic cooperation, but his political appointment underscores Washington’s preference for loyalty over diplomatic experience.
As Philippine-American Friendship Day is commemorated with a new US ambassador to Manila, alliance must be rethought and self-reliance reclaimed. Alliance with the US remains valuable, but it should not define the nation’s destiny.
By diversifying security and economic partnerships, investing in self‑reliance and balancing relations with China, the Philippines can turn external pressures into opportunities for strategic autonomy.
This is not a rejection of the US but a principled affirmation of Philippine sovereignty. In a region fraught with geopolitical rivalry, it is the critical foundation for national security and regional stability.
Rommel C. Banlaoi, PhD, is the director of the Philippines-China Studies Center at Diliman College and president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies. He is also chairman of the board of advisers of the China Studies Center at New Era University.
