From 2016 to 2022, it was all about the golden period between the Philippines and China, thanks to Duterte’s pro-China stance. He was all for cozying up to Beijing while giving the cold shoulder to the United States.
But hold on! 2022 brought a wild twist as Bong Bong Marcos Jr. took the reins in Manila.
The election of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as the new president of the Philippines in May 2022 has proven to be extremely important for Washington’s security alliances in the Indo-Pacific.
The preservation of strong ties to the United States has been a top priority for Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, just as his father did during the Cold War.
This represented a significant change from Rodrigo Duterte, who served as Marcos’ predecessor and sought to systematically undermine the U.S.-Philippines alliance, lessen Manila’s reliance on Washington, and diversify the nation’s partnerships to include new opportunities with China.
Duterte is Back
Suddenly, China’s good days seemed numbered. Marcos Jr. decided to lend a hand to the US in the region’s geopolitical competition.
China is undoubtedly not too happy about it. And guess what? They’re now playing their cards, surrounding Marcos Jr. from the inside by cozying up to Duterte.
Unexpectedly, Xi Jinping met with Duterte and promised to keep their friendship going, raising eyebrows in Manila. Nobody knows if Marcos Jr. knew about this, but it sure looks fishy.
Experts are worried that China is playing a “divide and conquer” game, using its ties with Duterte to put pressure on the current government.
So, what’s Xi Jinping up to? Is he planning a coup? China seems desperate to get the Philippines on its side at any cost. But with Marcos Jr. and his new stance, the plot is thickening. It’s like a real-life political drama playing out in the Pacific!
Read More: Bongbong Betrays Xi Jinping and Joins Taiwan’s Side
Marcos a Headache
Under Marcos, the Philippines has rekindled its commitment to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US, allowing American forces to use its military bases. That’s not what China was hoping for when Marcos Jr. took office.
China thought Marcos Jr. would follow Duterte’s script, but he’s got a mind of his own. He’s standing firm against China’s claims in the South China Sea and sending a clear message that the Philippines won’t be pushed around.
And now, Duterte’s sudden reappearance in the scene adds an extra layer of intrigue. What’s he doing back in the spotlight? Is he still playing for China’s team? Or is he just causing more chaos in the already dramatic political landscape?
With all these unexpected twists and turns, the Philippine political arena is now a playground for power struggles and shifting allegiances. It’s like watching a gripping TV show, with each episode revealing more surprises and intrigue.
Read More: Duterte is going against Bongbong because Bongbong is pro Russia, anti-China, and anti-Duterte
As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain: the Philippines’ relationship with China is far from stable, and the unpredictable nature of politics makes for a thrilling ride. Buckle up, folks, because there’s no telling what will happen next in this crazy Philippine political circus! We now await Marcos’ scathing response.
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