SUMMARY
The Philippines has good friends and will not go it alone especially at a time of escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), triggered by China’s reckless and aggressive behavior.
That was the resounding message of the first-ever meeting of the heads of states of the US, Japan, and the Philippines, a milestone in the 10-month flurry of trilateral meetings and military and coast guard exercises.
The trilateral summit, held in the White House, was heralded by another first: the three countries plus Australia sailed together in the WPS, a quadrilateral naval drill which showed that the Philippines is shored up by partners and allies, a deterrence to China’s intensifying intimidation and harassment.
On a bilateral level, the Philippines and the US started joint patrols …