Duterte — 9DASHLINE

Challenges remain in the Philippines despite Maria Ressa’s court victory

Written by Chris Fitzgerald

Maria Ressa’s acquittal is not only a rare victory for press freedom, but it offers the Philippines a chance to distance itself from the brutal regime of the former President, Rodrigo Duterte.

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In Conversation with Salvador Santino Fulo Regilme Jr.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Salvador Santino Fulo Regilme Jr. about his latest book, Aid Imperium: United States Foreign Policy and Human Rights in Post-Cold War Southeast Asia.

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Pernicious anti-politics — illiberal “Unity” and the future of dissent in the Philippines

Written by Anthony Lawrence Borja

We must remember that Marcos Jr.’s pernicious anti-politics, veiled by both his rhetoric of unity and silence on controversial political issues, has resonated with many Filipinos.

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Red-tagging as a human rights violation in the Philippines

Written by Teo S. Marasigan

Attempts to criminalise red-tagging and declare it a human rights violation show how citizens and civil society in the Philippines are fighting back in the legal sphere against an instrument of repression used by a government that has become an avatar of democratic decline in the world.

Duterte, the last of the drug warriors?

Written by David Hutt

Much of the coverage of Southeast Asia’s drug wars has focused on the drug warriors themselves. But if, as experts say, populist politicians regard drug wars as an easy way to capture votes, perhaps the problem lies first with society, not with politics.

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Shift in Philippine pivot to China hinges on next polls

Written by Frances Mangosing

The way things are going, we can expect Duterte to ramp up nationalist rhetoric over the next few months to gather voter support for his chosen successor. We have seen this game before.

South China Sea dispute: The three challenges to ASEAN’s position

Written by Kalvin Fung

ASEAN members such as Indonesia might find themselves mired in a quagmire: recognising a regime lambasted for its terrible human rights record might save ASEAN unity but could draw further condemnation from the West and international media; rejecting the junta might jeopardise regional unity and delay the long-awaited COC.

Rodrigo Duterte: Why the ICC’s investigation will not guarantee a fairer or safer Philippines

Written by Tom Smith

Branding an ICC investigation into Duterte as yet another inquiry on a developing nation is sure to play well for his successors and their supporters.

Faultlines9DLJune 24, 2021Philippines, Duterte, 9dashline, Ferdinand Marcos, ICC, Leni Robredo, Bongbong, Sara Duterte, Manny Pacquiao, War on Drugs, Davao City

The 2016 South China Sea arbitration award: Can the past and present foretell the future?

Written by James Borton and Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Sustained domestic pressure, efforts by other littoral states to align their claims with UNCLOS, and a growing chorus of countries referencing the award in their note verbales strengthen the hands of leaders who may come out more assertively on the issue.

Russia’s conduct in the South China Sea

Written by Nivedita Kapoor

In the long term, Russia has the potential to become a regional energy supplier as well as provide connectivity via the Arctic Northern Sea Route (instead of via the Straits of Malacca), which could mitigate the contradictions in the SCS.

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Abe Shinzo: A legacy in review

Written by Felix Kuhn

Pragmatism served Abe well, making it possible to steady Japan’s relationship with China while building up a coalition of partners in the region. Suga has so far shown no inclination to depart from Abe’s footsteps. But it is not yet clear whether Abe’s policy is sustainable over the long term.

In Brief: Hunter Marston on democracy and hedging strategies in the Indo-Pacific

With Hunter Marston

For the foreseeable future, small powers in Southeast Asia will cling to their independent foreign policies and seek to diversify their foreign relations in an attempt to find a balance that allows them more options and to avoid choosing sides in the brewing superpower rivalry.

The Philippines faces a strategic choice: China or the United States

Written by Joshua Bernard B. Espeña

President Rodrigo Duterte’s independent foreign policy which on one level sought to balance both the US and China, at its core, appeared to appease Beijing by setting aside the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling and accept Chinese investment.

Pacific9DLOctober 16, 2020India, Philippines, China, South China Sea, United States, Duterte

A window of opportunity for India and the Philippines to deepen bilateral relations

Written by Joshua Bernard B. Espeña

Like Modi, Duterte’s approach is based on caution and building mutual trust to avoid a wider geopolitical conflict, and setting aside territorial disputes in exchange for trade and investment opportunities. This policy has continued despite regular harassment of Filipino fishing vessels by Chinese coast guards.

Pacific9DLAugust 29, 2020India, Philippines, China, South China Sea, United States, Modi, Duterte

The question at the heart of the South China Sea dispute

Written by Phillip Orchard

Southeast Asian states are finding it ever-harder to trust that the US will show up if and when push comes to shove with China. And this dynamic might just make it even harder for the U.S. to do so.

Southeast Asia9DLApril 4, 2020Philippines, Duterte, China, United States, FONOPS