Philippines Allows Use of Bases by U.S. Military in Case of Conflict

On September 4th, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, said that if there is a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the United States may use our military bases in the Philippines. Ambassador Romandez’s statement comes against the backdrop of the Biden administration’s announcement of more than $1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan. The Chinese Government has expressed extreme disappointment in the arms sale.

The on-going tension between the U.S. and the Chinese Government because Taiwan increased recently with two U.S. warships cross the Taiwan Strait. China has warned the U.S. to not interfere with the China-Taiwan situation and not to alter the current U.S. policy of One China. The U.S. continues to enhance the status of Taiwan on the world stage with visits from the Speaker of House and U.S. senators in August.

The Philippine Government has taken a neutral position on the Taiwan question, but the Ambassador’s statement on use of military bases may indicate a small change in current policy. The Ambassador went on to say that no one wants a war or confrontation, we ask the two countries to de-escalate tensions through more dialogue, which the Philippines supports.

The Ambassador verified the Philippines is in talks with the United States to increase the number of military bases that U.S. forces can use on Philippine territory. The Ambassador said the militaries of the Philippines and U.S. are reviewing potential areas where a conflict may erupt.

Ambassador Romuldez is related to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and has considerable influence in Philippine politics.