"THINK FOR YOURSELVES!!"

OK. How's this-

Both the Philippines and Japan are our allies, even though the Philippines seem to be feeling a little scratchy towards the US at present.

Both nations are scared sh!tless of a resurgent China as they well should be. What is the upside to alienating their biggest ally?

Lastly and most importantly I give you Hanlon's Razor- ""Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor

OR... I can believe your screwball, totally unsubtantiated BS.

Not really a contest that I can see...