US law granting PHL $2.5-B military aid may be tied to Taiwan risk — analysts

US PRESIDENT Donald J. Trump’s approval of a bill that could provide $2.5 billion in multiyear military funding for the Philippines may reflect his administration’s bid to bolster its ally as the US prepares for a possible conflict over Taiwan, analysts said.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio Reporter

While the South China Sea remains a flashpoint, Washington's greater concern is Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out taking by force, said Vincent Kyle Parada, an emerging leaders fellow at think tank FACTS Asia.

Still, the security assistance — $500 million annually over the next five years — could give Manila a financial lifeline to upgrade its military arsenal amid lingering tensions in the disputed waterway, including long-sought advanced fighter jets, additional warships and missile systems, he added.

“The fact is that increased defense cooperation between the US, and the Philippines has primarily been in preparation for a Taiwan contingency — not a South China Sea one,” Mr. Parada, also a former defense research analyst with the Philippine Navy, said in a Viber message.

Mr. Trump last week signed a sweeping $900-billion military budget and defense policy bill, as Washington seeks to recalibrate defense priorities amid a shifting global strategic landscape.

‘The White House has released its National Security Strategy, with Washington looking inward to restore “American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere,” while still keeping close watch on Taiwan.

“This recent aid package should be seen as a telling sign of Washington’s continued patronage [of Manila],” Mr. Parada said.