PRESIDENT DUTERTE’S PHILIPPINE FOREIGN POLICY ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE 2016-2019

Abstract

The Philippines and China have been known for their clash over the territorial claims in South China Sea for years. Under Aquino administration, the Philippines has been defensive against China’s assertive behaviour in South China Sea since it poses a threat for the Philippine sovereignty. However, when Duterte came into power in 2016, there was a significant change in the Philippine foreign policy where the agenda focuses on the approach to China than the South China Sea dispute. In accordance with this, this thesis analyses the implication of Duterte administration’s foreign policy on the Philippines’ position in addressing the South China Sea dispute. The research of this thesis uses the theory of foreign policy and classical realism to support the analysis. The thesis concludes that the change of the Philippine foreign policy under Duterte administration has an implication to the Philippines’ behaviour in the dispute against China. President Duterte’s foreign policy is found to be worth pursuing, yet, risky when it comes to the South China Sea dispute. It means, the foreign policy is economically favourable for the Philippines, but it can also threaten the Philippine maritime security and defense.