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MANILA, Philippines – The outgoing administration of US President Donald Trump donated an additional P1.38 billion in military equipment to the Philippines that, according to Philippine officials, showed the two countries “continued and warm alliance.”
Acting United States Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced the recent transfer of defense equipment that included sniper rifles, helmets, bulletproof suits, metal detectors and sights, during his meeting with Philippine Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana and the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Teodoro Locsin Jr., at Villamor Air. Base in Pasay City on Tuesday (Dec. 8).
The new equipment transferred on December 2 was expected to strengthen the special missions units of the Philippine armed forces in terms of joint precision strike, sniper, river and counter-improvised explosive device capabilities.
Acting United States Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller led the ceremonial turnover of P1.38 billion ($ 29 million) in defense equipment, including snipers and anti-IED equipment, for the use of the Philippine military. DND Photos pic.twitter.com/yghuJ84ojk
– Frances Mangosing (@FMangosingINQ) December 8, 2020
Miller told Lorenzana that the first of two reconditioned C-130 jets being acquired by the Philippine Air Force will be delivered on December 17.
The Philippine defense department described the aid package as “a symbol of the continued warm alliance of the Philippines and the United States.”
With P33 billion in ships, planes, small arms and other military equipment donated to the Philippines since 2015, the Philippines is the largest recipient of US military aid in the Indo-Pacific region.
Lorenzana said that “a militarily strong, peaceful and stable Philippines” is beneficial to the United States because of its commitments in the region.
“We are the only military ally of the United States and we can be its best ally if we are strong,” he told INQUIRER.net.
The Philippines and the United States share concerns about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.
But the alliance between the United States and the Philippines was put to the test when President Rodrigo Duterte decided to eliminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) earlier this year. Currently, the United States is trying to negotiate a long-term military agreement with the Philippine government.
Miller was in Manila as part of his Asia tour. He met with Philippine foreign and security officials to reiterate Washington’s commitment to assisting in the security of the Philippines. A government official previously said that the VFA and the South China Sea would dominate the discussion.
READ: Trump’s defense chief to visit Manila to ‘meet and greet’ with PH executives
During the meeting, Lorenzana and Miller agreed to further boost the two countries’ military ties.
The usual … our defense relationship. How we can improve it would be beneficial for both countries, ”Lorenzana said when asked what was discussed with Miller.
Senior US defense officials visited Manila last week to bring gifts to the Philippine defense system.
US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien announced the donation of P868 million missiles and bombs to the Philippines during his visit in November.
The visit of the Secretary of the United States Air Force, Barbara Barret, also last November, also coincided with the delivery to the Philippine Navy of a ScanEagle drone worth P710 million.
The visits come as the United States prepares for a transition to President-elect Joe Biden’s administration.
“We are here and whatever happens in the internal politics of the United States, this is a fundamental alliance for us,” O’Brien said during his visit.
TSB
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