MANILA, Philippines — The top generals of the Philippine and United States (US) militaries talked about “military modernization activities” and “increasing the scope and capacity of joint exercises,” in their first bilateral phone call, US Joint Staff spokesperson Navy Captain Jeral Dorsey said in a statement released Wednesday, February 12.
US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown Jr. spoke with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Romeo Brawner Jr. on February 10 via phone, said Dorsey.
The two also talked about Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, or Philippine military facilities where the US can preposition its assets and personnel. Brown, said Dorsey, “emphasized the importance of domain awareness in [the Philippine] exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”
“The US continues to closely partner with the Philippines and remains committed to maintaining a strong alliance founded upon shared strategic interests and democratic values,” said Dorsey.
The Philippines and the US are treaty-allies, bound together by the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). The MDT requires both nations to come to each other’s defense in the event of an attack. The US, under the first presidency of Donald Trump, said that the treaty applies to the South China Sea.
Under the previous Biden administration, the bilateral relationship had grown closer by leaps and bounds. Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo described it then as being on “hyperdrive.”
It was under Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that Manila added four more EDCA sites in strategic locations either facing the West Philippine Sea to the west or Taiwan to the north of the Philippines. The two countries also signed the Security of Military Information Agreement. It was Biden too who spearheaded the first trilateral leaders summit between himself, Japan’s Prime Minister, and Marcos.
In mid-2024, the US pledged $500 million in foreign military financing to help modernize both the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard. It was a move that had bipartisan support in the US Congress.
Despite Trump’s decision to pause foreign aid, security officials had been optimistic that military aid to the Philippines would not stop.
The increase in ties is backdropped by US rival superpower China’s increased aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including in areas that are part of the Philippines’ EEZ. The Philippines and the US have conducted several joint sails and exercises in the West Philippine Sea. Manila has also played host to multilateral exercises with other countries, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Beijing has accused either the Philippines, the US, or both of being the cause of tensions in the South China Sea, even as Chinese maritime forces actively drive away Philippine vessels, including small wooden Chinese ships, in contested areas. – Rappler.com