US underscores increased military aid to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - The chair of the US Senate foreign relations committee has recognized the importance of increasing foreign military financing to the Philippines in view of China’s military threat in the South China Sea.

Philippine government officials engaged US legislators to mobilize congressional support for key Philippine advocacies in the US from March 15 to 16 and thanked lawmakers for impelling the US to take necessary steps in safeguarding the rule of law in the Asia-Pacific region.  

On March 15, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. and acting Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas led the Philippine delegation in separate meetings with Sens. Bob Corker and Ben Cardin, chairman and member, respectively, of the foreign relations committee.

During their meeting, Philippine officials noted the committees’ role in sustaining US interest in the Asia-Pacific region and giving importance to the “rebalancing of power policy.”

“The committee has been influential in the decision-making process of the current US administration. We recognize the considerable impact the committee’s initiatives has had on increasing US foreign military financing to the Philippines and ensuring that the US continues to be engaged in our region,” Cuisia said.

The Philippine embassy in Washington said Corker supported raising foreign military financing to the Philippines “because of China’s behavior.”

Cardin reiterated that while the US maintains its neutrality on the South China Sea dispute, his country takes a strong position against provocative actions.

He also expressed his firm belief in the rule of law and recognized the leadership of the Philippines in developing a regional Code of Conduct.

Rep. Randy Forbes, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and member of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, echoed the views of his colleagues in the Senate.

In a statement on March 7, Forbes criticized China’s recent actions in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the importance of the alliance between the US and the Philippines for maintenance of peace and prosperity in the region. 

“China’s behavior in the Asia-Pacific has undermined regional stability and unnecessarily antagonized the Philippines and other partners in the region. The United States has an obligation under its decades-old security treaty with the Philippines to resist acts of aggression against our ally,” the statement read.

Forbes expressed the opinion that the US needs to be more present in the South China Sea and that joint patrols would be “hugely important, helpful and useful.”

The Philippines’ campaign to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) was also discussed with the senators.

Corker remarked that TIP, described as “modern-day slavery,” should not have a place in today’s world.

The meetings with the US lawmakers also aimed to shore up greater support for a bill seeking to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the more than 260,000 Filipino veterans of World War II.

The bill titled “Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015” was introduced in the House (HR 2737) and the Senate (S 1555) in June 2015. Cardin and Forbes are among the bill’s co-sponsors.  

The bill includes a historical account of the dedicated service of Filipino and Filipino-American servicemen and women during World War II and recognizes them for their courage, bravery and valor as they served under the command of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East.

“As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Philippines-US relations this year, let us remember that ours is a friendship forged by the experience of fighting side by side in wars for liberation. It is our fervent hope that our longstanding ties will only grow stronger over time and that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve,” Cuisia said.