Beyond Alliances  

In my radio program WALANG ATRASAN at DWAR Abante Radyo, 1494 Khz, I spoke with Prof. Clarita Carlos, former National Security Adviser and one of the country’s most incisive political thinkers. Our discussion centered on a provocative question: should the Philippines explore closer ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?

Prof. Carlos has long advanced the principle of multi-alignment and strategic autonomy. For her, the Philippines must not be confined to the orbit of either Washington or Beijing, but instead chart a course rooted in its own national interest. The SCO, led by China and Russia and joined by India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus, represents nearly half of the world’s population and a significant share of global GDP. It has evolved beyond a security bloc into a platform for economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation—an expansion that ASEAN nations are beginning to notice.

The opportunities are compelling. Engagement with the SCO could bolster our fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling, while opening new avenues for trade and investment. As Prof. Carlos underscored, “we must broaden our relationships and avoid being held hostage by a single power.” In a world of shifting alliances, diversification is not just prudent—it is essential.

Yet the challenges cannot be ignored. The SCO is often perceived as a counterweight to U.S.-led groupings such as QUAD and AUKUS. For a country like ours, with deep historical and strategic ties to America, how do we reconcile these competing pulls? This is the delicate balancing act: maintaining equilibrium among rival powers while safeguarding the interests of the Filipino people.

Prof. Carlos’s call is both pragmatic and visionary: multi-alignment is the only path forward. If engaging with the SCO strengthens our autonomy and resilience, then it merits serious consideration. Realpolitik demands that we weigh every benefit, every risk, and every opportunity—not in service of one superpower or another, but in service of the nation.

In the end, “Beyond Alliances” is not just a headline. It is a reminder that the Philippines must look past old binaries and embrace a future defined by choice, flexibility, and sovereignty. The world is changing, and so must we—always with the nation’s interest at heart.