Restructuring the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC): Philippine Prospects for Regional Collective Defense and Stronger Military Relations
Restructuring the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC): Philippine Prospects for
Regional Collective Defense and Stronger Military Relations
A Student Foreign Policy Paper
In Partial Fulfillment of Pre-Midterm of the Requirements of
IRFS 122: Foreign Service and Analysis of Foreign Policy
Submitted to:
Ms. Archill Niña F Capistrano
Teacher/Adviser
Submitted by:
John Anthony F. Almerino
AB POSC-IRFS 2 Student
ABSTRACT
Economic development through greater regional cooperation was the primary aim of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when it was formed on August 8, 1967 by the founding countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Although one of the motivations at that time of forming the association was the common fear of communist expansion (especially in Vietnam) and insurgency within their respective borders, the ASEAN has not ventured into creating a military alliance to promote “regional peace and stability”. Hence, the ASEAN is formally recognized as an economic organization with no military obligations tying member nations.
But with the recent rise of security tensions, primarily caused by the aggressive actions taken by China against the Philippines and co-claimant ASEAN nations over territories located at the South China Sea; the prospect of creating an ASEAN military alliance to solve the “Chinese security problem”, has become very tempting.
The researcher believes that indeed, stronger military relations between ASEAN nations will not only help address the security threat posed by China but also assist in resolving the territorial disputes between co-member nations. Thus, this paper proposes a restructuring of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) such that it will allow the establishment and creation of the following: (1) A regional military alliance that will promote collective defense (2) the ASEAN peacekeeping force and (3) the ASEAN Security Council.
The
Regional Collective Defense and Stronger Military Relations
A Student Foreign Policy Paper
In Partial Fulfillment of Pre-Midterm of the Requirements of
IRFS 122: Foreign Service and Analysis of Foreign Policy
Submitted to:
Ms. Archill Niña F Capistrano
Teacher/Adviser
Submitted by:
John Anthony F. Almerino
AB POSC-IRFS 2 Student
ABSTRACT
Economic development through greater regional cooperation was the primary aim of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when it was formed on August 8, 1967 by the founding countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Although one of the motivations at that time of forming the association was the common fear of communist expansion (especially in Vietnam) and insurgency within their respective borders, the ASEAN has not ventured into creating a military alliance to promote “regional peace and stability”. Hence, the ASEAN is formally recognized as an economic organization with no military obligations tying member nations.
But with the recent rise of security tensions, primarily caused by the aggressive actions taken by China against the Philippines and co-claimant ASEAN nations over territories located at the South China Sea; the prospect of creating an ASEAN military alliance to solve the “Chinese security problem”, has become very tempting.
The researcher believes that indeed, stronger military relations between ASEAN nations will not only help address the security threat posed by China but also assist in resolving the territorial disputes between co-member nations. Thus, this paper proposes a restructuring of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) such that it will allow the establishment and creation of the following: (1) A regional military alliance that will promote collective defense (2) the ASEAN peacekeeping force and (3) the ASEAN Security Council.
The