MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Washington’s top diplomat and defense chief will announce $500 million in military funding Tuesday to bolster the Philippines’ defenses and move forward with a proposed military intelligence-sharing agreement as both allies expect continued aggressive Chinese behavior in the region, Philippine officials said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has strengthened the Philippines’ decades-old alliance treaty with the United States, as hostilities between Philippine and Chinese militaries have intensified in the South China Sea since last year.
Marcos praised the “very open” lines of communication between Washington and Manila, adding that the two countries’ treaty alliance and key issues in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region are “constantly reviewed and reexamined, and we are agile in our responses.”
Marcos stressed that the presence of U.S. troops is necessary for stability and peace in Asia.
“There is indeed evidence that very high-level discussions between the two countries are progressing steadily, covering the full range of issues and opportunities that bring our two countries together, not just in security but also in the economic sphere,” Brinkt said.
U.S. officials also Typhoons worsen monsoon rains In recent weeks, it has offered help from the United States.
The visit comes a week after a trip to the Philippines in which a temporary arrangement was reached to prevent clashes around the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal. Fierce confrontation between the two armies June 17th.
The Philippine military transported food and other supplies, as well as new naval recruits. Saturday For the first time since last year, they were reported to have traveled to Manila’s territorial outpost in shallow waters without a clash.
However, the Philippines will continue to strengthen its territorial defense with the support of the United States and other friendly military forces. Building a new security alliancePhilippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said:
“Non-confrontational resupply and rotation is entirely temporary. The People’s Republic of China will not stop, and neither will we,” Romualdez told The Associated Press.
The $500 million in U.S. military funding that Defense Secretary Austin will announce in Manila will include money for naval equipment. Romualdez said about $125 million will go toward construction and other improvements at some of the Philippine military bases occupied by U.S. forces under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Romualdez said that with strong support from Congress, the U.S. military budget could double next year “depending on our ability to absorb it.”
Romualdez said progress on negotiations on the proposed military intelligence-sharing pact, the General Security of Military Information Agreement, will also be a key topic of discussion during Austin’s meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The deal, similar to those the U.S. has struck with other allies, would see the U.S. provide the Philippines access to advanced intelligence, more advanced weaponry including missile systems and satellite and drone surveillance systems, with details of such intelligence and advanced weapons kept closely secret with high security to prevent leaks, two Philippine officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The deal is expected to close later this year, the people added.
Philippine efforts to acquire advanced weaponry from the U.S. military have been hampered by the lack of intelligence agreements.
During his meeting with Secretaries of State Blinken and Austin, President Marcos noted the sharp political divisions in the United States ahead of this year’s presidential election.
“I’m a little surprised, given how interesting the political situation is in the United States, but I’m glad that you found the time to come and see us,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, Romualdez said US support for the Philippines will “absolutely” remain unchanged regardless of who the next president is. Expressing Concerns On the impact of former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January after President Joe Biden withdrew and threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Republicans and Democrats are in total agreement on the Philippines,” he said, adding that both camps were committed to continuing aid to Manila.
Last year, President Marcos approved the expansion of the U.S. military presence to four more Philippine military bases under a 2014 defense agreement and the largest military exercise between the Philippine and U.S. militaries under his administration, drawing opposition and alarm from China, which sees the expansion as a risk to regional peace and security.
The Philippines countered that it has the right to act to defend its territorial interests and national security.
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Lee reported from Singapore.
