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A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at Unaizah, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5, 2024. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
Beijing’s influence in Manila is collapsing. What was once a carefully cultivated foothold under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has eroded under Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose recalibration toward Washington reflects both domestic disillusionment with China and Beijing’s own overreach.
Charles Davis is a military veteran and lecturer with an intelligence background. His military awards include: two Bronze Star Service Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, NATO Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Saudi Arabia Liberation Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.
