THE
Philippines will be receiving some $144.66 million in defense assistance this
year from the United States government to help defend its contested territory
in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert
del Rosario said late Wednesday.
This reflected an increase of $21.38 million
from last year, the Foreign Affairs chief said during the Manila Overseas Press
Club’s Diplomatic Night held at the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental
Hotel in Makati City (Metro Manila).
Del Rosario said that the US defense
assistance is part of the Philippine government’s comprehensive foreign policy
on the West Philippine Sea that has three components, namely: political, legal
and defense.
“The West Philippine Sea remains a core
national interest for the country and diplomatically, we are working to ensure
that ‘what is ours is ours,’” he said in his speech.
Aside from the $144.66-million assistance, the
US government also provided $53 million for radar systems that will be used by
the Coast Watch Council “for enhanced and maritime domain awareness.”
He also said that the 1951 Mutual Defense
Treaty signed by the US and Philippine government is being updated in view of
the changes in the regional and global security environment.
“Specifically, our focal point for cooperation
is to increase our capacity for territorial defense and maritime security. Our
joint military exercises, which are aimed to ensure interoperability of our
forces, such as Balikatan, is a component of this priority,” del Rosario,
former Philippine ambassador to Washington, said.
Manila Times
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