US to provide military, typhoon aid to PH

Metro Manila, Philippines – The United States (US) boosted its alliance with the Philippines by hundreds of millions of dollars in military funding and assistance to calamity victims from recent rains and floods.

US State Secretary Antony Blinken announced the assistance in a joint briefing on Tuesday, July 30, with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro after their 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“Our armed forces are working on more shared priorities in more places than ever before. We’re now allocating an additional $500 million for military financing to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this region,” said Blinken.

The US officials said the money will be used to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard.

“We’re working with the US Congress to allocate $500-million military financing to the Philippines. This level of funding is unprecedented,” Austin said.

The military funding comes at a time of rising regional tension amid territorial claims in the South China Sea, including China’s assertive position over much of the waterway that is a vital trade route and reportedly rich in oil and gas.

A 2016 arbitral ruling, however, voided China’s historic claim but Beijing has refused to accept the decision, blaming interference of the West in a regional issue.

Meanwhile, Blinken said the US will also allocate $1 million or P58 million for victims of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.

“Condolences to all those killed, harmed, and displaced by the recent typhoon and flooding,” he said.

NewsWatch Plus correspndent Lance Mejico contributed to this report.

Austin said the executive department is working with the US Congress for the allocation.

“This level of funding is unprecedented, and it sends a clear message of support for the Philippines from the Biden-Harris administration, the US Congress, and the American people,” he said.

The dialogue also tackled the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

“In line with our treaty obligations, we discussed peace and developments and committed to continue our work together in upholding Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” Manalo said, noting that the West Philippine Sea is the government’s priority.

The Mutual Defense Treaty was also brought up during the meeting, with Austin saying it is the “bedrock” of the US-Philippine alliance.

Security was also among the topics.

“We discussed ways and means of enhancing our cooperation and to ensure that the Philippines becomes an effective upholder of international law under a free and open global rules-based order. We will ensure more frequent and regular policy and operational coordination,” Teodoro said.

Maritime cooperative activities and coordination with like-minded countries such as Japan and Australia will be intensified, the Philippine defense chief said.

The officials also agreed to fully implement Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) projects. EDCA allows the US to position military assets in select Philippine bases.

Austin said, “Please know that the United States will always stand with you.”