The previous administration frequently cited the concept of an “independent foreign policy”. However, its former president, Rodrigo Duterte, demonstrated contempt for the United States and the European Union, claiming they interfered with his leadership of the Philippines. He turned instead towards China, our powerful neighbor, dubbing this a move towards an “independent” foreign policy. In reality, this subordinated our interests to those of China and had detrimental effects on our country. Despite Duterte’s policy of appeasement towards China, the latter continued to bully us in the West Philippine Sea, intimidating our Coast Guard and even ordinary fishermen. President Marcos, in contrast, has pledged that national interest will dictate his administration’s foreign policy approach. This is encouraging, but what does it really mean for our country’s national security challenges? In today’s complex and constantly-evolving geopolitical landscape, we must recognize that our foreign policy should be independent and transcend the strategic competition between the US and China, who no longer dominate the global agenda. Instead, by forging alliances and strategic partnerships with like-minded, independent democratic states, we can better address the challenges we face. This means exploring defense and economic agreements with Indo-Pacific countries that share our values and commitment to a rules-based international order, as well as pursuing modernization efforts to strengthen our military capabilities. While prioritizing policies that benefit the Filipino people and maintain a firm stance on the West Philippine Sea, we must also create a stable, business-friendly environment that encourages investment and public-private partnerships grounded in the rule of law. This true independence means prioritizing what is good for our country and strengthening partnerships with those who share our values, holding dear and defending our sovereignty and integrity at all times.
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