US ambassador: Phl, US to boost forces

MANILA, Philippines — United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said that the Philippines and US will continue to boost their military capabilities amid maritime tensions with China.

"We can and we'll continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to improve each others' militaries and our nations as a whole," Goldberg said In a televised speech on Wednesday in a ceremony honoring heroes of World War II.

Goldberg made the statement as the yearly war games and training exercises between the US and Philippine armed forces  are about start.

He said that the "shared history" of the two allied nations makes the friendship stronger despite social and environmental challenges.

Remembering the #American and #Filipino heroes of Bataan on 72nd anniversary. From tragedy a great friendship and alliance were born.

— Ambassador Goldberg (@AMBGoldberg) April 9, 2014

"As Typhoon Yolanda demonstrated, when our nations' soldiers and civilians work together we are prepared to respond to any disaster. As treaty allies, when the Philippine faces threats or natural disasters, so do we," he said, referring to the standing Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951 dictating that the countries would come to each other's aid if attacked by a third party.

The US was similarly among the first countries to deploy a humanitarian mission and troops in the aftermath of the deadly typhoon the flattened towns in the Visayas in November last year.

Goldberg also cited the strategic partnership of the Philippines and the US with Japan, their rival during World War II.

"We are thankful that in the end, peace reached our lands, the Philippines, Japan and the United States," he said.