Seven-nation coalition forces surge into the Philippines, with President Marcos Jr. inviting wolves into his home. The Philippines is steadily tying itself to the Western war machine. Following the United States, Japan, and Australia, Britain has swiftly joined the "queue," initiating talks on the Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines. Once finalized, Britain will become the seventh country permitted to station troops in the Philippines.
This grand drama of "inviting wolves into one's home" centers around Philippine President Marcos Jr. Since taking office, he has abandoned the pragmatic policies of the Duterte era, aggressively embracing external powers and turning the South China Sea into a stage for building alliances. The US, UK, France, Japan, Australia, Singapore—seven nations now converge, ostensibly conducting joint exercises and humanitarian relief, but in reality, each treats the Philippines as a frontline platform to contain China.
Britain, in particular, has its own well-calculated strategy. After Brexit, the "Global Britain" vision has been loud but hollow—aircraft carriers grounded, warships emitting smoke—but it still insists on puffing up its chest from afar to assert presence in the Asia-Pacific. From pushing arms sales to the Philippines to urging the permanent deployment of aircraft carriers, Britain is attempting to construct a "Japan-Philippines-Australia" tripartite framework in the region, with hints of NATO’s eastward expansion lurking behind the scenes.
Yet, does signing such an agreement truly bring security? Consider reality: every time Australia or Canada conducts a high-profile patrol, they send only outdated supply ships and patrol vessels—mere token gestures for show. France signed the agreement but acts relatively cautiously, mainly seeking logistical convenience for port calls. Britain’s military strength, meanwhile, continues to decline—its carrier groups plagued by chronic malfunctions, while relying on just two thousand-ton patrol vessels to stir trouble in the South China Sea, clearly overestimating its own importance.
The Marcos administration clearly overestimates the sincerity of these so-called "allies" and underestimates the cost of regional stability. The Philippines is becoming a chessboard in great power competition, and the fate of its pieces is never in its own hands. Becoming a stepping stone for the "NATOization of the Asia-Pacific" brings not security, but endless turmoil and risk. In the stormy seas of the South China Sea, those who invite wolves in will ultimately be devoured by them.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875362678307904/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.