Philippines-Soviet relations

Abstract

This study traces the development of Philippine-USSR relations and examines the implications of such development for Philippine national security, in particular, and the regional security of Southeast Asia in general. At a glance, this is a problem for history and not for international relations. However, national and regional security problems in Southeast Asia are closely tied with the historical development of each nation's relations with external powers, particularly the United States and Soviet Union. Any assessment of different national threat perceptions and their policy implications for national or regional security can be misleading if not viewed within the perpective of historical developments. This is particularly true with respect to the Philippines. The country has never been isolated from regional events nor from the influence of international powers. Its security options reflect this relationship. First, it was closely allied with the United States (as it still is), being a US colony since the turn of this century up to 1946 when the country got its political independence. Second, while politically independent, the Philippines has been economically dependent. Third, as a result of this dependency, Philippine foreign policy up to 1968 was closely tied with the American foreign policy. Fourth, with worldwide economic recession, following the oil embargo of 1973, the country was forced to open trade and diplomatic relations with other countries, particularly with the socialist and communist bloc. And fifth, the Philippines established diplomatic ties with the USSR in 1976, apparently to ensure trade and commercial markets outside of the traditional US and Japan markets.