Philippines has a lot going for it as far as Australia is concerned

Anthony Albanese with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

The elevation of Australia’s relationship with The Philippines has been on the cards since it kicked out its homicidal former leader Rodrigo Duterte.

Human rights groups estimate his “shoot first, ask questions later” war on drugs killed more than 12,000 people.

He was also keen on dictators, cosying up to China and Russia while shifting away from the country’s traditional ally, the US. So it’s not surprising Australian prime ministers have steered clear of the place, at least since Duterte’s election in 2016.

But things have changed under the leadership of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, known affectionately to his people as “Bongbong”.

Elected in June last year, Marcos is recasting his country’s foreign policy, seeking closer ties with democracies and taking it up to Beijing by strongly reasserting The Philippines’ claim to the Spratly Islands’ Second Thomas Shoal.

China has also laid claim to the atoll, along with almost all of the South China Sea.

Last month, Australia and The Philippines conducted their first major bilateral military exercise. Marcos wants to do more of them, as well as joint naval patrols in the contested waterway. Australia is eager to do more with the Southeast Asian nation. One senior minister likened the relationship to a mutual crush between young suitors.

The Philippines has a lot going for it as far as Australia is concerned. According to Australia’s Southeast Asia envoy Nicholas Moore, the country of 114 million people is set to enjoy a 5 per cent annual growth rate to 2040. It’s also a major source of international students, has a huge pool of skilled workers, and the six families that run its big conglomerates are major investors in Australia.

The story of The Philippines’ economic relationship with Australia has always been one of potential. Now that potential appears closer to being realised.

But the more pressing force driving the countries together is China. The Philippines is standing up against Chinese strategic aggression in the Pacific, and that’s the sort of friend Australia needs.

So it’s a little ironic that Anthony Albanese made the first bilateral visit to the country by an Australian prime minister in 20 years just a day after he confirmed he would travel to Beijing in the next three months to repair ties with China. But international affairs is a pragmatic game. As one experienced foreign policy hand said, nations must court strategic partners while playing nice with others that don’t share our values.

“You’ve got to do both. You’ve got to be grown-ups,” the veteran diplomat said.