US: ‘Unprecedented’ $500 million military aid boosts alliance

MANILA, Philippines — The United States is allocating an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines as part of what it called an “unprecedented” and “once in a generation” investment in modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III yesterday made the announcement at a press conference after meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. for their 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held for the first time in Manila.

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

Austin said the US and the Philippines are working to advance a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and taking bold steps together to strengthen their alliance.

“Today, as you heard, Secretary Blinken and I announced we are poised to deliver our once in a generation investment to help modernize AFP and the PCG,” Austin said.

“We are working with US Congress to allocate $500 million in FMF to the Philippines and this level of funding is unprecedented and it sends a clear message of support for the Philippines from the Biden administration, the US Congress and the American people,” he added.

The US is also doubling investments in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.

“We also reaffirmed Department of Defense intends to more than double our investments in EDCA locations across the Philippines,” Austin said.

US President Joe Biden’s request this year includes more than $128 million for funding key EDCA projects.

Austin noted that the “US government investment in the locations extends beyond the DND,” citing USAID plans to preposition disaster relief supplies in EDCA locations later this year.

At the meeting, the US reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty remains the bedrock of US-Philippine alliance.

“And let me be clear, the MDT applies to armed attack on either of our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels anywhere in the South China Sea,” he said.

Open communication

At Malacañang, President Marcos underscored before the visiting officials the importance of open communication with the US in bolstering Manila’s “agile” response to incidents in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos made the remarks as he welcomed Blinken and Austin to Malacañang.

“I’m always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the things that we are doing together, in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea and in the Indo-Pacific, are continuously examined and re-examined so we are agile in terms of our responses,” the President said.

“We are very happy to see you once again. I’m a bit surprised, considering how interesting your political situation has become back in the States, but I’m glad that you found the time to come and visit with us,” the Chief Executive told the top US officials.

Also present during the meeting at Malacañang were US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

In his remarks, Blinken extended the greetings of US President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to Marcos.

This was the first time the Philippines has hosted the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which Blinken said is “evidence of a steady drumbeat, a very high-level engagement” between the two countries that cover “the full range of issues and opportunities that bring us together, not only security but also economic.”

“I think today is genuinely historic,” Blinken told Marcos. “We’re truly grateful for this partnership.”

For his part, Austin highlighted the two countries’ strengthening relations under the Biden administration.

The US defense official noted that Manila and Washington “have done a lot” in the last three and a half years to continue to strengthen their alliance, citing their common interests and values.

“It’s been a great three and a half years and I look forward to another three and a half or another four in building, strengthening this relationship. So, thanks,” Austin said.

“And I’ve said a number of times that we’re more than allies, we’re family and it always feels that way when, you know, I’m working with our colleagues,” Austin told the President.

The US officials were expected to announce the $500 million in military aid through the recent national security supplemental passed by Congress in the spring, the US Department of Defense earlier said.

During the meeting, the two US officials also offered assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

“Let me just start by sending our deepest condolences to all the victims of the recent typhoon,” Blinken said.

“I’m able to announce today an additional $1 million in assistance to help bring food, emergency shelter, logistics and other aid to all those who have been affected,” he added.

“Mr. President, may I quote Tony’s comments on the warm welcome. It really is great to be back in country again and also his offer of condolences for those who have been affected by the storm,” Austin said.

‘Subservient’

Meanwhile, militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) denounced what they called the subservient and mendicant policy of the Marcos administration in dealing with the US, as they held a rally outside the AFP headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino chided Marcos for allowing the entry of US troops to the country through the EDCA, which he said is against the 1987 Constitution.

“He echoes the war rhetoric of the US against China which heightens tension and instability in the region,” Palatino said.

“Their proposed intel sharing and procurement roadmap highlights the subservient role of the Philippines as the Marcos Jr. government continues to promote the imperialist geopolitical agenda of the US,” Palatino said. – Helen Flores, Emmanuel Tupas