Article by:
Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
NEW YORK CITY – The Philippines and the United States (US) have agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation and collaborate to ensure a “stable and secure” Indo-Pacific region.
The commitment was made during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s meeting with US Undersecretary of War for Policy Eldridge Colby and his delegation on Monday (New York time), which marked the start of the Chief Executive's two-day working visit here.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the meeting focused on efforts to accelerate the two nations’ defense partnership amid evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
The two nations also renewed their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty, which serves as the cornerstone of their alliance.
“Both sides also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and to continuing to work together for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region,” the PCO said.
Marcos and Colby emphasized the importance of strengthening deterrence and maintaining regional stability through closer military coordination.
They also stressed the need to improve interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military through joint operations and training activities.
Among the initiatives is Exercise Balikatan, the long-standing joint military exercise between the Philippines and the US, which is scheduled to begin next month.
The exercise aims to enhance the readiness and coordination of both forces while reinforcing their ability to respond to various security challenges in the region. (PNA)
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