A prominent US-based policy group is pushing for greater American military support to the Philippines, emphasizing Manila’s crucial role as Washington recalibrates its defense focus toward the Indo-Pacific region. During a forum hosted by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Taguig City, senior experts from the Heritage Foundation highlighted the growing importance of Southeast Asia amid rising tensions with China.
Wilson Beaver, Senior Policy Advisor for Defense Budgeting at the Heritage Foundation, said that reallocating US defense resources from Europe and the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific is necessary to confront what he described as America’s “biggest strategic challenge” — China. He argued that if China is truly seen as the foremost threat, the US must invest accordingly, particularly in regional partners like the Philippines.
“There’s a very strong strategic case for the United States to increase funding to strengthen the Philippines’ defense posture,” Beaver stated, noting that military systems and budgets should reflect the current geopolitical realities. He called for a shift in resources toward platforms and capabilities relevant to the Pacific theater.
Meanwhile, Robert Peters, the Foundation’s Senior Research Fellow for Strategic Deterrence, echoed similar sentiments. He said the goal is not to provoke conflict, but to deter hostile actions by ensuring allied countries are better equipped. Peters added that upcoming changes in the US National Defense Strategy may include troop reductions in Europe and potential redeployment of naval assets to the Western Pacific.
The Philippines has already begun benefiting from increased American support, with $500 million allocated to Manila in 2024 as part of a broader $2 billion Indo-Pacific military funding package. The ongoing development of the 2025 US National Defense Strategy, led by Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby, is expected to further cement the shift toward bolstering regional allies like the Philippines.
