US Marines take security positions around an amphibious assault vehicle during a joint military amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and Japanese counterparts in Cavite province, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE US Marines take security positions around an amphibious assault vehicle during a joint military amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and Japanese counterparts in Cavite province, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE
US Marines take security positions around an amphibious assault vehicle during a joint military amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and Japanese counterparts in Cavite province, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
Opinion

Opinion

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Why the Philippine-US Kamandag war games are a balancing act for Duterte

  • Over 2,400 troops from the Philippines, US and Japan are currently taking part in an annual military exercise
  • But after his recent visits to China and Russia, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte must balance commitments to the country’s traditional ally without upsetting new partners

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Updated: 4:34pm, 16 Oct, 2019

Why you can trust SCMP
US Marines take security positions around an amphibious assault vehicle during a joint military amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and Japanese counterparts in Cavite province, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE US Marines take security positions around an amphibious assault vehicle during a joint military amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and Japanese counterparts in Cavite province, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE
US Marines take security positions around an amphibious assault vehicle during a joint military amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and Japanese counterparts in Cavite province, Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE
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Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III is a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, fellow at the University of the Philippines Korea Research Centre, lecturer at the Chinese Studies Programme at Ateneo de Manila University, and contributing editor (Reviews) for the Asian Politics & Policy Journal.