The United States pushed for a stronger Philippine role in regional deterrence by encouraging Manila to invest more in its own defense capabilities, with a senior US defense official describing the country as a “model ally” in the new approach.
US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby said Washington wanted its allies to take greater responsibility for their own security while building stronger and more sustainable defense partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
“We seek partnerships, not dependencies,” Colby said Monday during a forum organized by the Stratbase Group.
“We are putting our alliances on a sustainable, realistic, and durable footing for the long haul. When we ask our allies and partners to step up, to invest more in their own defense, and to take responsibility for their own sovereign security, we are not signaling abandonment,” he said.
“We are looking for partners, not protectorates. When our partners are strong, deterrence is strong. And that is exactly what we have here in Manila under the leadership of President Marcos, Secretary of National Defense Teodoro, and other key leaders,” Colby added.
He said the US defense strategy was aimed at building a “network of highly capable sovereign nations” that could establish a “denial defense” along the first island chain, making potential aggression in the region increasingly difficult.
He cited the Philippines as an example of an ally moving in that direction.
The Philippines, Colby said, was a “resolute and proud nation” determined to strengthen its capabilities to defend itself and its allies.
He also praised Manila’s “clear-headed pragmatism,” saying it was suited to the strategic demands of the region.
“With the help of Manila and other allies, we are actively building a strong denial defense to back up a peace-through-strength approach of a lastingly favorable balance of power in Asia,” Colby said.
Franco Jose Baroña Greater Philippine capability Colby pointed to several areas where Washington and Manila were seeking to translate their alliance into greater military capability, including the operationalization of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, investments in resilient defense infrastructure and expanded joint training.
The US is also supporting Philippine defense investments through the rotational deployment of four US Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters, which will work with the Philippine Coast Guard in securing and patrolling the country’s exclusive economic zone.
“This is not a one-sided partnership,” Colby said, citing the Philippines’ increased investments in modernizing its armed forces and coast guard.
“Alliances are most durable when they are based on shared responsibility, mutual interests governed by pragmatic respect, and underwritten by real capability on both sides, rather than permanent dependency,” he said.
Alliance gains weight Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres Manhit said Colby’s visit came at a time when the Philippine-US alliance carried “greater weight than any point in recent memory.” “The United States consistently ranks first among the countries they want the Philippine government to work with in defending our seas, especially in defending the West Philippine Sea and advancing our economic security,” Manhit said.
He said the challenge was to translate that public trust into “a stronger, more capable, and more resilient alliance” that could respond to present security challenges and contribute to a free and open, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
