Palace ‘elated’ by US aid freeze exemption

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang was elated by the United States’ decision to exempt a portion of its military aid to the Philippines from the Trump administration’s current foreign aid freeze policy.

“Of course we are elated,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday when sought for comment on the development.

“It is something significant and we are thankful for that support... The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) modernization is very important. But of course, with the additional help, it can help a lot,” she added.

Last month, US President Donald Trump ordered a pause on fresh obligations and disbursements of foreign assistance while they are being reviewed for efficiency and consistency with Washington’s foreign policy.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the US has exempted a part of its military aid to the Philippines from the policy. According to earlier reports, $336 million for the modernization of the Philippines’ security forces was among the items exempted from the aid freeze.

According to Castro, the exemption indicated the US has not wavered in its support for the Philippines.

The US has repeatedly described its defense commitment to the Philippines as “ironclad,” saying the alliance between the two countries play a key role in ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The US decision is a “welcome development” for the AFP.

“We are glad to continue. And it also signals basically our longstanding relationship with the US,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said yesterday.

“It has further strengthened the ties between the two countries. On the development or its particular use, we leave it to our top leadership… the acquisition and development of EDCA sites and other programs,” he said, referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the US announcement would mean uninterrupted implementation of projects and activities.

“There are already particular programs that higher headquarters has mapped out for this year and even in the years to come,” he said.

“And with this particular unfreezing of the support by the US government, it only means that our programs that have been initially planned out will push through. This will include activities on sea, air and land, and even our support systems, cyber and other areas,” he added.

Trinidad said the AFP is unaware yet of specific aid, projects or programs covered by the foreign aid freeze exemption.

“Suffice it to say, the move to unfreeze the $336-million package is a very much welcome development,” he told reporters at a press briefing.

In its announcement on Monday, the DFA also said the US and the Philippines “are committed to the treaty alliance and to efforts to further strengthen our defense cooperation and interoperability.”

“We will continue to engage the US government on the importance of our bilateral work in supporting our shared goals and priorities,” DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.