UNITED States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. said the US is committed to continue defense-related assistance to the Philippines despite spending cuts that would be implemented by Washington starting this year.
“We don’t know where sequestration is going to take us; we have to leave that to the President [Barack Obama] and Congress to work out, but there has been no effect, current effect on our operations throughout our embassy as of this date,”
Thomas said after a “boodle fight” with reporters on Thursday. Sequestration is a procedure in US law that puts a high cap on how much the government can spend on federal programs such as education and defense.
In its official web site, US Department of Defense officials on March 20 expressed apprehensions over the consequences of the sequestration on American troops and military readiness.
“Under the 2011 Budget Control Act, the Defense department was required to cut $487 billion from its budget,” the US DOD said, quoting Frank Kendall, undersecretary of Defense for acquisitions, technology and logistics.
However, Thomas cited as example his experience in 1995 when there were deep cuts in US spending.
“When I was a middle-level officer in India, we had the government shut down, but we survived it. So we’ll survive this also.”
Thomas reiterated that the Philippines would continue receiving support from the United States.
“I’m sure you know that in the last 11 years, the Philippines has been the largest recipient of US military aid in Southeast Asia, and that continues.”
Thomas cited as example the Coast Guard cutter that would be delivered to the Philippines “in a couple of months.”
He also emphasized US support in disaster relief and need for humanitarian missions.
“We are in the ring of fire and you have to be the first responders. Clearly, the United States will always come in if needed.” Thomas said that it’s his concern on how the US can help forward the current Philippine government’s defense policy.
“That’s another sign of our support. So what we do is ask [your government officials] what they want, what they are trying to do, how can we partner with them, how can we get other allies in the region to partner with the Philippines.
Thomas also said that the US would continue sending military assets here.
“We just had the Blue Ridge here and we have another ship coming in this weekend. It’s [visits] not been affected by sequestration so we’ll have to see where we go.”
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