We agree with the Gulf News comment and report last week (on Dec. 8) that the Philippine government “is highly unlikely to allow the US military to use Philippine territory as a springboard for so-called freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) through disputed parts of the South China Sea” quoting Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

The Stratfor brief retelling of the report said: “Manila hopes to avoid antagonizing China, Lorenzana said. US naval vessels and aircraft sometimes stopped in the Philippines during such operations under the previous Philippine government. Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard received on Dec. 8 the second of 10 multi-role response vessels pledged to it by Japan. The Philippine president’s diplomatic agenda and unorthodox approach have enabled him to reap the benefits of multiple partnerships, but that freedom won’t last forever.”