Alliances

No military alliance with China. This is what President Duterte assured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his official trip to Japan. Japan was obviously concerned with Duterte's anti-American rhetoric which has continued since the start of his term. Duterte's speech in Beijing drew the most concern, with his ""separation from the United States both in the military but economics also." Japan and the US are strong allies. Japan has probably taken notice of Duterte's willingness to hold joint military exercises with China and Russia, while stopping the joint exercises with US forces. That statement of  "China, Russia and the Philippines against the world" must have also raised more than a few Japanese eyebrows. Duterte even wants a review of the three agreements with the US, namely the EDCA, VFA, and Mutual Treaty Agreement, if they can be cancelled. We are all very aware of Duterte's personal dislike of America, emphasis on the word "personal." 

Japan has its own territorial issues with China. A separation of the country with the US, in whatever context was meant, could weaken Japan's security in the region. For the past decades, the country and the US have remained allies. This alliance became more important with China's aggressive expansion in the region. But most recently, Duterte said he wanted all American military personnel out of the country within two years. The hits just keep on coming, as they say.

But what is significant is Duterte's promise that the country will "stand  by Japan in partnership and security matters." With both the Philippines and Japan having territorial issues with China, this statement is sure to get the attention of Beijing, especially after the billions of dollars in pledges of soft loans and investments that were agreed upon during Duterte's recent trip to China. When the time is right, according to Durerte, he will raise the issues with China, notably the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision that favored the Philippines. Again, that should draw the attention of the Chinese. How they will respond, is anyone's guess. Already there is a problem with the wording of the agreement that will "allow" our fishermen to return to Panatag Shoal. To be "allowed" is tantamount to agreeing that Panatag is already Chinese territory. It is definitely not. 

There really is no way around it. The issues that have hounded both China and the Philippines these past four years will eventually come up. It is good that Duterte is strengthening the country's ties with Japan.

We have a common goal in terms of security in the region, not to mention Japan helping the country a lot. I really don't see why he cannot do the same for the US. The US used the atomic bomb twice on Japan - Hiroshima and Nagasaki - resulting in the immediate death of hundreds of thousands, with the radiation fallout affecting the Japanese for decades and generations. The bombing of both cities is remembered every year. Yet, both countries are staunch allies. Just saying.