According to Philippine media Manila Times’ recent report, the Philippines is gearing up for a long-term collaborative effort with the United States, focusing on the integration of cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to combat aggression from China, among others.

In the report written by Franco Jose C. Baroña, the Washington, D.C.-based Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) delegation just concluded a strategic three-day visit to Manila.

During their visit, the delegation engaged with multiple Philippine government bodies, including the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology (DoST), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to explore the intersection of technology, security and economic cooperation.

(Philippine media Manila Times’ report by Franco Jose C. Baroña on October 10)

The SCSP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative launched in 2021 by Eric Schmidt, former chairman and CEO of Google/Alphabet, and led by Ylli Bajraktari, former chief of staff of the US National Security Council and executive director of the US National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

Joe Wang, a senior advisor for SCSP, said in an interview with the Manila Times Tuesday evening, both sides examined how emerging technologies, such as AI and cybersecurity tools, are reshaping defense strategies in the Indo-Pacific region.

Wang said conversations addressed the country's key technological needs, including bolstering its digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity resilience and promoting STEM education.

This partnership aims to bolster the country's readiness in the face of increasing maritime confrontations and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, an area that is experiencing heightened tensions and military posturing from China.

This cooperation comes at a pivotal moment in US-Philippine relations, which have seen increased military collaboration in recent years, especially under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

During the visit to the Philippines in July this year, US Secretary of State Blinken announced that the US would provide $500 million to the Philippines to strengthen its defense capabilities. According to the AP’s report on September 25, American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a U.S. mid-range missile system “Typhon” in the northern Philippines indefinitely.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated its position on US-Philippines military cooperation.The United States is not a party concerned in the South China Sea issue and has no right to intervene in maritime issues between China and the Philippines. The Philippines should also be aware that inviting countries outside the region to stir up confrontation in the South China Sea will only undermine regional stability and escalate tensions. Attempts to introduce external forces to maintain their own security will only lead to greater insecurity and even become a pawn of others.