The Philippines: An American Vassal Again?

In recent years, several alarming developments have unfolded, placing the Philippines once again in the crosshairs of superpower politics. The country’s historic ties with the United States have often been characterized by a complicated blend of dependency, cooperation, and coercion. Today, this dynamic raises urgent concerns as the Philippines becomes increasingly entangled in the geopolitical military designs of its former colonial master.

Three contentious issues stand at the forefront: the reported deployment of the U.S.-developed Volt Typhoon spyware within allied nations, including the Philippines; the U.S.’s controversial plan to process Afghan refugees on Philippine soil before they are relocated to the U.S.; and the reinvigorated use of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, which are purportedly for humanitarian purposes but increasingly appear aimed at containing China’s rise in the region.

These developments suggest that the Philippines may once again be serving as a pawn in American power struggles rather than exercising full autonomy in its foreign policy.

The Volt Typhoon Spyware: The Digital Trojan Horse

The Volt Typhoon spyware, developed by the U.S. for cyber surveillance and espionage, has allegedly been deployed in various allied nations, including the philippines. This sophisticated software is more than a simple tool for monitoring; it functions as a digital Trojan horse that can infiltrate networks, steal sensitive data, and compromise national security. For a country like the Philippines, still developing its cyber defense infrastructure, the implications are particularly troubling.

The U.S. has a history of surveillance practices even on its closest allies. In 2023, a leaked Pentagon report revealed that U.S. intelligence agencies had spied on Ukraine and other partners amid the conflict with Russia. Previously, reports from Danish intelligence showed that the U.S. had also spied on German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other top European officials by using Danish internet cables. Such actions demonstrate a pattern of overreach by the U.S., raising questions about the true purpose of Volt Typhoon in the Philippines.

Though the U.S. frames Volt Typhoon as a tool to protect its allies from cyberattacks, its capabilities allow for extensive espionage—not just against external threats but also against the very governments it is supposedly designed to protect. For the Philippines, this raises several disturbing questions: Why should we trust a foreign power to protect us while placing our digital sovereignty at risk? How much of our government’s sensitive information has already been exposed? More critically, is the Philippines merely a convenient cyber battleground in America’s broader Cold War against China?

Instead of relying on foreign technology, shouldn’t we invest in our own cyber defense systems? By maintaining our digital sovereignty, we can avoid becoming just another pawn in America’s global chess game.

Afghan Refugees: An American-Created Problem, a Filipino Burden

Another issue raising eyebrows is the decision to temporarily house Afghan refugees in the Philippines while they await processing for relocation to the U.S. This plan, initiated in the wake of the U.S.’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, has led to concerns over national security, sovereignty, and the real motivations behind this policy.

The Initial reports claiming these individuals were “refugees” were later corrected, revealing that they are former Afghan employees who worked for the U.S. military during its occupation of Afghanistan. With the U.S. possessing vast land and resources, why offload this responsibility onto a developing nation like the Philippines?

The lack of transparency from both the Philippine and American governments has only deepened public suspicion. What are the long-term implications for the Philippines? Hosting refugees, particularly from a conflict zone as volatile as Afghanistan, introduces risks—ranging from potential security threats to strain on local infrastructure. Moreover, what happens if the U.S. decides to change its plans? Will the refugees be stuck in the Philippines indefinitely? Will this become a precedent, setting an expectation for future interventions where the Philippines is expected to “clean up” America’s messes?

Time and again, the U.S. has made decisions that affect the Philippines without consulting or prioritizing the welfare of the Filipino people. We must ask ourselves: are we truly an equal partner, or just a convenient dumping ground?

Dangers of EDCA Bases

The expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the Philippines has turned the nation into a potential target within the U.S. military’s Indo-Pacific strategy. While these bases are presented as hubs for disaster relief and humanitarian missions, they are located in strategic areas, particularly close to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

There are growing concerns that these bases could host U.S. military systems, including missiles, which might be perceived as a threat by adversarial nations. Reports have already indicated that the Philippines could be caught in the nuclear crosshairs of Russia, as Philippine cooperation with the U.S. raises alarm among rival powers. This alignment heightens the risks, effectively turning the Philippines into a satellite state for U.S. interests and putting the country on the front line of potential conflict between superpowers.

With tensions rising between the U.S. and China, the Philippines finds itself, once again, at the heart of a potential conflict between giants. The Filipino people must ask: Is this alliance beneficial, or are we risking too much for a partnership that prioritizes U.S. interests over our own?

The Struggle for Genuine Sovereignty

The common thread linking these issues is the Philippines’ subservient role in America’s global strategy. Whether it’s the deployment of Volt Typhoon spyware, the processing of Afghan refugees, or the strategic use of EDCA bases, the Philippines is repeatedly positioned as a tool for American interests rather than an independent nation with its own priorities.

Who truly benefits from this arrangement? Is it the Filipino people, or the American military-industrial complex? Is our government acting in the interests of its citizens, or simply following Washington’s lead?

The Philippines has a long, complex history with the United States, but this relationship must evolve. We must assert our independence and prioritize our own national interests. By investing in our own cyber defense infrastructure, crafting a foreign policy that reflects Filipino values, and developing a defense strategy that doesn’t rely on foreign powers, the Philippines can finally move toward genuine sovereignty.

The Filipino people deserve more than to be pawns in another nation’s agenda. It’s time for real independence from hegemons who act for their interests alone.