The triple junction can be interpreted as a promontory of the Australian plate being deflected by collision with the Philippine plate. thus indicating the driving force of the current deformation.
The three intersections can be explained as sharp corners of the Australian plate, deviating from the collision with the Philippine plate. It determines the driving force for the current deformation.
The three-way intersection area can be interpreted as the tip of collision deflection between the Australian plate and the Philippine plate, thus determining the driving force of current deformation.