Dr. Chester Cabalza is the Founding President of the Manila-based think tank, International Development and Security Cooperation (IDSC). He served as Vice President for Research and Strategic Studies at the Development Academy of the Philippines. He is a Professor of National Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines and Professor of Anthropology at the University of the Philippines. He became a Consultant of the World Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency. Dr. Cabalza enjoyed Fellowships at the National Defence University in China and the University of Delaware in the United States. He was conferred as Scientist by the Department of Science and Technology. Prof Cabalza co-authored books on The Rise of Philippinedization: Philippinedization is not Finlandization (2021) and Perspectives on Terrorism in the Philippines (2019). He has an upcoming book on The New Middle Powers of Southeast Asia (2023).

Dr. Cabalza’s talk on “What Does the Philippines Want? Protecting the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea” explores the South China Sea issue from the Philippines’ perspective. An important and fascinating case study of a middle power trying to negotiate its independent national goals between two great powers.

The talk’s outline is as follows:

1. Debunking China’s Historical Claims: The Hague Ruling

2. Testing the Waters: Duterte’s Pivot to China

3. Reversing the Tide: PH Returns to US Alliance

4. Revitalized Military Modernization and Collective Deterrence

5. What Does the Philippines Want?