MANILA – The United States has promised to increase its support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization in the inaugural 3+3 ministerial meeting between the two nations' security, defense, and foreign affairs agencies.
The 3+3 was held in Washington DC on April 12 (US time) with Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, and National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año representing the Philippines.
Representing the US side, on the other hand, were Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“The parties underscored their determination to increase US support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to improve interoperability and to achieve our shared security objectives,” the six agencies’ joint statement read.
The agencies also reaffirmed Manila’s and Washington DC’s “shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific” and discussed ways to deepen coordination over shared challenges in the South China Sea, including the “repeated harassment of lawful Philippine operations by the People’s Republic of China.”
Blinken, Austin, and Sullivan reiterated the “ironclad commitment” to the US-Philippine Alliance and recalled that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.
“The parties further decided to explore additional opportunities to strengthen global support for upholding the international law of the sea,” the statement read.
Austin in a separate statement noted that Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget request also sought USD128 million to fund 36 infrastructure projects on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in the Philippines, more than double the amount the US has already invested in those sites.
‘PH appreciates’
On Friday, the Department of National Defense reiterated its appreciation for the US government's sustained support for the ongoing AFP Modernization Program.
On April 5, US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III visited the DND headquarters and met with DND Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino and discussed the deepening alliance between the Philippines and the United States.
Espino noted the arrival of the C-130 aircraft acquired from Lockheed Martin through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which supports the AFP's humanitarian and disaster response operations, and bolsters the Philippine Air Force's cargo airlift fleet operations.
Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Espino also acknowledged the support of the US Congress with the allocation of USD109 million for the implementation of the EDCA projects.
"The two security officials discussed the upcoming conduct of Exercise Balikatan, which boosts the interoperability of the two countries' armed forces, as well as enhances the AFP's external defense operations. This year's iteration of the Balikatan is the largest exercise to date, with the participation of over 11,000 US troops and 5,000 Filipino troops, while 14 countries will be joining as observers," Andolong said.
Likewise, the two officials reaffirmed the Philippines-US commitment to protecting and maintaining the international rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea. (With Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
