‘Philippines, United States security cooperation at historic high’

MANILA, Philippines — The United States has reached “historic” heights in its security arrangement with the Philippines, especially with an expanded bases access after years at a “low point” during the Duterte administration, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

At a press briefing, Austin noted great progress in building alliances and security partnerships around the globe, including in the Philippines.

“But there’s no greater example of our progress in the Indo-Pacific than the Philippines. When I started as secretary, our ties with the Philippines were at a low point. We were even on the brink of losing our decades-old Visiting Forces Agreement,” Austin said.

“But after three years of intensive engagement and partnership, we are in an entirely new chapter of our alliance,” he said.

He said he will visit Japan and the Philippines, together with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the coming days.

Austin noted that President Marcos agreed last year to include four new locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“We’ve expanded our rotational access, thanks to the leadership of President Marcos and (Defense) Secretary (Gilbert) Teodoro, and we’re taking unprecedented steps to help modernize the Philippine military,” he said.

“So, I very much look forward to going back to the Philippines and to Japan. I visited both countries just last year,” he added.

The Philippines and the US will discuss ways of deepening security coordination, including on the South China Sea, when the foreign and defense chiefs of the two countries meet for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held in Manila – for the first time – on July 30.

Blinken and Austin will also meet with President Marcos “to explore additional ways to capitalize on the unprecedented momentum in the United States-Philippines alliance.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Secretary Enrique Manalo, Teodoro, Blinken and Austin are expected to discus during this year’s 2+2 Dialogue ways of further enhancing the two countries’ commitment to their alliance while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges.

Enhancing military cooperation and defense partnership highlighted the discussions yesterday between Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the US Navy at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

As CNO, Franchetti is the first woman to join the elite group of senior military officers who make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The AFP said the dialogue underscored the mutual commitment of the armed forces of the two nations to regional security, maritime domain awareness and enhancing interoperability.

“This visit marks a significant milestone in the enduring friendship and military cooperation between the two nations, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional security and stability, as well as in advancing a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific,” the AFP said.