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Post Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has less than a year left in office and is likely to pass the decision on the VFA to his successor. Photo: Reuters READ FULL ARTICLE + FOLLOW 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.

The strain on the Philippines from dealing with the two great powers jostling for influence in Southeast Asia is becoming apparent. Manila now faces questions over whether any concessions it gets from the US are worth the added risk should US-China conflict break out.

President Rodrigo Duterte has railed against military pacts with Washington for increasing the risks of his country getting caught in a US-China conflict over the South China Sea. Photo: AP Opinion Lucio Blanco Pitlo III How the Philippines and US can save the Visiting Forces Agreement (and keep China at bay) Although Rodrigo Duterte has railed against defence pacts with the US, Washington can show its commitment to them through high-level talks With Beijing becoming more assertive in the South China Sea, Manila has the impetus to maintain robust security ties with the US