US Committed to Working with PH Gov't in Strengthening

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 20): US Committed to Working with PH Gov't in Strengthening Military

The United States is committed to working with the Philippine government in strengthening its military and its ability to defend the country.

At the same time, visiting US Department of Defense Deputy Secretary Dr. Ashton Carter reiterated that the US stands solidly behind the efforts of the Philippines to resolve the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) in a peaceful manner and consistent with the rule of law.

Dr. Carter gave the assurance during his call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario Tuesday afternoon at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) headquarters in Pasay City.

The Deputy Secretary is the second highest ranking official in the US Defense Department. He is accompanied by accompanied by a number of US Defense and Military officials in a short visit to the country.

"I welcomed Dr. Carter’s strong support for our efforts at peacefully settling the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. We are committed to seeing this through,” said del Rosario in a statement issued Tuesday night after the meeting.

He is referring to the arbitration case that the Philippines recent filed against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

According to the DFA chief, he and Dr. Carter had a good discussion on intensifying defense cooperation and the current challenges in the region during their meeting.

He said they both agreed that to support the military training and capacity building efforts of the Philippines, it is important that there be an increase in number of exercises and other approved activities between the military and defense establishments of the two countries.

“This increased rotational presence will be crucial in allowing us to maximize our own investment in our defense,” del Rosario pointed out.

“We will be able to increase and maximize the value and returns of the P75 billion the President has allocated for our defense for the next five years the increased rotational presence, exercises, training and other activities with US forces,“ he added.

Dr. Carter has served the US government in different capacities, has been a member of the academe and think tanks, as well as private corporations.

He holds a doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of Oxford and bachelor’s degrees in physics and medieval history from Yale University.

Dr. Carter always had an interest in the Philippines, del Rosario disclosed, starting when he first met and interacted with Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., father of the President, when both of them were members of the academe in institutions of high learning in Massachusetts.

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