Was the Philippines really used as the buffer zone for Australia during the World War II?

Answer 1

The Philippines acted as a major US army and naval base for South Pacific operations.
Malaya and Singapore were the first front line, if you like, for Australia that then moved further south, after the fall of S'pore, to Papua New Guinea and East Timor, which were also eventually overrun.

Answer 2

nope , not by the aussies but by the americans. aussies used singapore and malaya( malaysia) as the zone.