Why Philippines may face ‘strategic dilemma’ over Nato partnership, US demands

Philippine military servicemen take part in a live fire exercise during the 2025 US-Philippines joint military “Balikatan” exercise in Rizal, Palawan.

Photo: AFP The Philippines is seeking broader defence cooperation with Nato’s European members, even as US President Donald Trump remains critical of the transatlantic security alliance’s lack of involvement over the Middle East war.

While some observers say the move dovetails with the long-standing security partnership between the Philippines and the United States, Nato’s dominant member, others argue that Manila could face a “strategic dilemma” if its ties with the 32-member alliance are contrary to Washington’s interests.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr raised the proposal with Nato Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone on the sidelines of the 2026 Paris Defence and Strategy Forum on Tuesday, according to Manila’s Department of National Defence.

The Philippines “is presently laying the groundwork” for enhanced interoperability and exchanges with Nato countries and the European Union, Teodoro said, according to several media reports.

He added that he was guided by Manila’s duty to strengthen its resilience and protect the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

There are an estimated 10 million Filipinos living and working in other countries.

Although a non-Nato member, the Philippines has been designated as a major partner of the alliance since 2003.

Philippines Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jnr speaks at the Shangri-la Dialogue Defence Summit in Singapore last year.

Photo: EPA-EFE The Philippines and Nato member France signed an agreement on military personnel deployment and joint exercises in Paris on Thursday.

It came after the Philippines and Germany, another Nato member, agreed last year to increase cooperation in security and defence equipment.

Chester Cabalza, founder and president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank, said such agreements would likely focus on weapon acquisitions and training.

On the agreement with France, Cabalza said Manila was aiming to diversify its military networks with major powers outside Asia.

The expansion in scale and participation of the Balikatan drills was a sign of the “golden age of defence partnerships” between the Philippines and its partners, he added.

He was referring to the annual military drills primarily involving the Philippines and the US, as well as other partners including France, Japa

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