Opinion | 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

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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

Published: 6:00pm, 15 Oct 2019Updated: 4:34pm, 16 Oct 2019

The third annual Kamandag military exercises could not have come at a more critical time, with the Philippines expanding its China and Russia ties, highlighted by President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent fifth visit to Beijing and second visit to Moscow, and the United States abandoning its Kurdish allies in the war against terror in Syria, casting doubts over the reliability of US alliance commitments.

Over 2,400 troops – 900 Filipinos, 1,400 American and 100 Japanese – are undergoing several exercises in selected locations across Luzon, the country’s biggest island, and Palawan from October 9 to 18. Kamandag, which literally translates to venom in Filipino, is shorthand for “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” or “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea”.

The exercises demonstrate how the 68-year old alliance between the US and the Philippines can weather challenges in bilateral relations and respond to a changing security environment. For Washington, the exercises support a renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific, where its long-standing influence is increasingly being challenged by a resurgent China. For Manila, the exercises are an opportunity to sustain engagement with a traditional ally as it diversifies its foreign policy.

US Marines talk to Philippine Marines during a joint military amphibious landing exercise. Photo: EPA-EFE

Joint exercises include counterterrorism, amphibious and aviation operations, live-fire training and urban combat. For the first time, there will be low-altitude air defence and threat reaction training.

Manila last month acquired eight amphibious armoured vehicles from South Korea in a move to strengthen its amphibious capabilities, and the exercises provide a good opportunity to put these to the test.

Despite earlier threats of upending the war games with the country’s former coloniser and long-time treaty ally, Duterte seems to appreciate the value of the alliance. Notwithstanding his tirades against the West for its criticisms against his drug war, security cooperation with the US remains robust, although kept low-key. In fact, it even broke some new ground. While internal and non-traditional security threats have become the new centrepieces of the exercises, the maritime and external dimension cannot be missed.

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