A U.S UH-1Y helicopter performs manoeuvres during a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) in Ternate, Cavite on July 14, 2023. The MASA exercise aims to strengthen regional partnerships and foster military cooperation between the Philippines and United States and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1713164670184171315850888620230713-ph-usa-masa-cavite-MT-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A U.S UH-1Y helicopter performs maneuvers during a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) in Ternate, Cavite on July 14, 2023. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The United States has announced plans to increase military support for the Philippines, including on efforts to upgrade the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.</div><div><span dir="ltr">A readout of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III’s meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon on April 12 said the leaders underscored the &quot;historic strength&quot; of the two countries&#x27; alliance.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Austin said US President Joe Biden is seeking $128 million in congressional allocation budget to execute projects for Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;The two leaders expressed support for growing Alliance initiatives to expand interoperability. Secretary Austin highlighted that the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal year 2025 seeks 128 million dollars to execute 36 projects at EDCA sites, which would more than double the amount that DoD has invested in EDCA infrastructure since the inception of the agreement,&quot; the Department of Defense release read.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;Secretary Austin expressed his support for Philippine military modernization, highlighting the department’s strong commitment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through this year’s budget, as well as bilateral efforts to finalize a multi-year Security Sector Assistance Roadmap,&quot; it added.</span><span dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/9/resistance-to-china-should-not-lead-to-militarization-of-west-ph-sea-group-1147" id="isPasted"></a></span></div><div><span dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/9/resistance-to-china-should-not-lead-to-militarization-of-west-ph-sea-group-1147">Resistance to China should not lead to &#x27;militarization&#x27; of West PH Sea: group</a><br/><br/><strong> MORE JOINT PATROLS IN SCS</strong></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">The Philippines and the US discussed increasing the frequency of combined maritime activities like joint patrols to support Manila’s lawful exercise of its rights in the South China Sea.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">During the meeting, Marcos and Austin discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral planning and operational cooperation.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">They also agreed to accelerate bilateral initiatives &quot;to enhance information-sharing, interoperability, and capability enhancements&quot; for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">They applauded the April 7 multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) of the Philippines, the US, Australia, and Japan within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.</span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">According to the two leaders, the MMCA is an example of the ways Manila and Washington are working more closely with like-minded nations to strengthen shared principles, including the rule of law, freedom of the seas, and respect for territorial sovereignty.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Austin reaffirmed the US support of the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction. He also reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries extends to the armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft—including those of its coast guard—anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;The leaders’ meeting—their second at the Pentagon in less than a year—reaffirmed the United States and the Philippines’ enduring commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as allies to bring greater security, prosperity and stability to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,&quot; the US DoD said.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/4/10/us-japan-and-philippines-summit-what-s-next-for-asia-1010" id="isPasted">US, Japan and Philippines summit: What&#x27;s next for Asia?</a></span></div><div><span dir="ltr"><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></span></div><div><span dir="ltr"><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOrBPhVIZzs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></span><br/></div>

<p>The United States has announced plans to increase military support for the Philippines.</p>

The United States has announced plans to increase military support for the Philippines.

US to boost military support for PH, more joint patrols coming | ABS-CBN

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US to boost military support for PH, more joint patrols coming

US to boost military support for PH, more joint patrols coming

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 15, 2024 03:05 PM PHT

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Philippines

United States

military support

joint patrols

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

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