Granted almost every country in ASEAN has defence ties with the U.S. but Singapore does it more openly compared to its neigbours which are more quiet about it yet at the same time are also expending those ties. The Chinese know fully well that whatever they do; Singapore will continue to have strong defence ties with the U.S. [i.e. hosting U.S. ships, hosting a U.S. logistical team, exercises buying U.S. gear, etc] and will continue to have strong diplomatic ties with Uncle Sam [the only other regional country, apart from the Philippines, which has such strong defence ties is Thailand which of course is a non NATO ally]. What the Chinese might do behind the scenes is to apply pressure in certain ways for Singapore to ''readjust'' [if that's the right word] its ties with the U.S. whilst at the same time to be closer with China. Last year Singapore conducted its first [naval] exercise with China; followed by Malaysia and way before that, Indonesia. It remains to be seen but will we be seeing PLAN ships making regular visits to Singapore in the future and will there be more military exercises?
With the Philippines it's different. The country has a defence treaty with the U.S. and deep historical ties. From a Chinese perspective; the only reason the Filipinos have acted the way they have is because they are linked to the U.S. via a treaty. It's hard to see how things will turn out as Dutarte [in my view] has become unpredictable, at least with regards to foreign policy : first he said that U.S. troops in Mindanao would have to leave, then he said that he wasn't implying that the Philippines would cut its defence ties with the U.S. but would embark on a more independent foreign policy whilst maintaining its defence ties with Uncle Sam. Next he announces that joint PN/USN patrols in the South China Sea would cease. I would imagine people in the State Department and Pentagon, as well as the Filipino equivalents being a wee bit confused.
Not trying to be cynical but if Durtarte really wanted to embark on an independent foreign policy he should renounce the defence treaty [which obliges the U.S. to come to the aid of the Philippines in the event of external threats] and refuse any future offers of pre-used U.S. gear :] Dutarte has spoken of the possibility of procuring Chinese gear and I won't be surprised if China soon announces that it's willing to sell gear at ''friendship prices'' [similar to what Thailand received in the 1980's] and even provide long term soft loans. Dutarte had also previously announced that if Filipino businessman were not up to the job; he might accept a Chinese offer to construct a rail link between Manila and Angeles City [IMO this is badly needed due to difficulties in getting out of Manila due to heavy traffic].
