US DEFENSE CHIEF IN PH. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper exchange pleasantries with ranking security officials upon his arrival in Manila on Tuesday (Nov. 19, 2019). Esper met with his Filipino counterpart, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, to discuss issues of mutual concern including on security. (Photo courtesy of the US Secretary Defense Facebook page)
MANILA -- The alliance between the United States and the Philippines is strong and continues to adapt to meet the challenges of the future.
"The alliance between the United States and the Philippines is deep-rooted and founded in our shared and common values. Our alliance remains strong and it continues to adapt to meet the challenges of the future.," US Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday.
Esper discussed a range of shared security interests and issues with his Filipino counterpart, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
During the meeting, he reiterated Washington's commitment to the Philippines' 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty whose applicability to the entire Pacific Region include the South China Sea.
"It is crucial that we stand together to preserve freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea. The United States rejects attempts by any nation to use coercion or intimidation to advance its national interests at the expense of others," Esper added.
Also, the DOD chief said both countries must continue to work closely together to uphold the security and prosperity experienced by the alliance in the past 70 years.
Esper also maintained that counter-terrorism cooperation between the US and the Philippines remains an important part of the defense relations between the two countries.
He cited the example of Operation Pacific Eagle Philippines which he said continues to successfully counter Islamic State affiliates and other violent extremist organizations threatening the country.
"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in fighting terrorism. The United States remains committed to supporting the Philippines' continued efforts to deny terrorist groups a safe haven in the region," Esper added.
The DOD chief said that he also discussed with Lorenzana a number of other areas to strengthen defense cooperation including helping modernize the AFP and improving the country's maritime security in domain awareness.
"We look forward to train in future joint air and maritime patrols to improve our interoperability and to demonstrate our commitment to upholding the long-standing international rules and norms. We also discussed opportunities to enhance our joint military exercises, to strengthen cyber-security awareness and to improve defense infrastructure to further implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement," he added.
Esper said he was also very pleased with the outcome of Tuesday's meeting, adding that the US' alliance with the Philippines is absolutely vital to the security and stability of Indo-Pacific which is their priority region.
"I'm confident that as we continue to work closely together we will meet the challenges of the future and preserve the gains that both our nations have worked so hard to achieve," he said.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said the more than 70 years of friendship between the US and the Philippines defense establishments have continued to grow stronger despite some setbacks between the overall bilateral relations.
He, however, said such matters are normal in any partnership and despite this, defense relationship between the two countries have proven enduring through the years.
"The Philippines and the US have shared long history spanning more than 70 years as friends, partners and allies. and those years cooperation has spanned in the areas of political, economic and socio-cultural relations in our ties including that, between our defense establishments have continued to grow stronger," Lorenzana said.
Esper left the US last week to attend the 51st US-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting before heading towards Thailand to participate in the ASEAN-Defense Minister Meeting Plus.
After his visit to the Philippines, the US Defense Secretary will proceed to Vietnam to discuss the regional security environment and how to further boost the defense relations between the two countries. (PNA)
