PH can use $500-M US aid for joint operations with allies: expert | ABS-CBN
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PH can use $500-M US aid for joint operations with allies: expert
Filipino soldiers jump from a USA UH-1Y helicopter 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
Filipino soldiers jump from a USA UH-1Y helicopter 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 NewsMANILA — The Philippines can best utilize a $500-million military aid from the United States by investing in “actual joint operations and exercises” in the West Philippine Sea, a maritime security expert said on Wednesday.
MANILA — The Philippines can best utilize a $500-million military aid from the United States by investing in “actual joint operations and exercises” in the West Philippine Sea, a maritime security expert said on Wednesday.
China has been “moving from non-kinetic to kinetic” strategies in asserting its illegal claim in the West Philippine Sea, said Jay Batongbacal, a maritime security expert and lawyer who also heads the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Seas.
China has been “moving from non-kinetic to kinetic” strategies in asserting its illegal claim in the West Philippine Sea, said Jay Batongbacal, a maritime security expert and lawyer who also heads the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Seas.
“We need now to consider from non-kinetic to actual kinetic. We have to prepare for that na because that is really the trajectory of China,” he said, referring to Beijing's use of force against Filipinos embarking on resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.
“We need now to consider from non-kinetic to actual kinetic. We have to prepare for that na because that is really the trajectory of China,” he said, referring to Beijing's use of force against Filipinos embarking on resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.
“We’ve been able to do a lot of exercises but from my perspective, it’s still on the basis of operating separately but in a coordinated fashion,” he said.
“We’ve been able to do a lot of exercises but from my perspective, it’s still on the basis of operating separately but in a coordinated fashion,” he said.
“I think the next step should be operating as a single unit,” he said.
“I think the next step should be operating as a single unit,” he said.
While Batongbacal expects China to “scoff” at the $500-million funding from the United States, he said the Philippines could “maximize that assistance” by prioritizing “exercises on operations and also internal coordination between allies.”
While Batongbacal expects China to “scoff” at the $500-million funding from the United States, he said the Philippines could “maximize that assistance” by prioritizing “exercises on operations and also internal coordination between allies.”
“I don’t think $500 million will make a difference with respect to how China deals with the Philippines. They always see this naman through one filter, their American maneuver,” he said.
“I don’t think $500 million will make a difference with respect to how China deals with the Philippines. They always see this naman through one filter, their American maneuver,” he said.
“We have to level up.”
“We have to level up.”
While the Department of National Defense has yet to release a full list of projects that will be funded by the “unprecedented” and “once in a generation” aid, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro earlier said that the Philippines would use a chunk of the fund to beef up its deterrence capabilities, including in the cybersecurity domain.
While the Department of National Defense has yet to release a full list of projects that will be funded by the “unprecedented” and “once in a generation” aid, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro earlier said that the Philippines would use a chunk of the fund to beef up its deterrence capabilities, including in the cybersecurity domain.
Aside from the $500-million fund, Washington also committed to pour in another $128 million to “double its investments” in 9 military camps in the Philippines that American troops can access.
Aside from the $500-million fund, Washington also committed to pour in another $128 million to “double its investments” in 9 military camps in the Philippines that American troops can access.
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