PACOM chief reiterates commitment to enhance AFP capability in maritime security

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7): PACOM chief reiterates commitment to enhance AFP capability in maritime security

During his Friday visit to ranking defense and military officials, US Pacific Command (PACOM) head Adm. Samuel Locklear III reiterated Washington's commitment to boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines's maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.

"The Admiral discussed how the US could contribute in enhancing the capability of the AFP in meeting emerging security challenges to include maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR)," the Dept. of National Defense statement on Locklear's visit stated.

Locklear met with DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

Modalities of increased rotational presence of the US in the Asia-Pacific and in the Philippines to include high value and high impact exercises were also tackled during the meeting.

Locklear's two-day visit, his third to the Philippines since becoming PACOM chief, started June 6.

Both the Philippine and US sides reaffirmed the importance of enhancing their bilateral relations as well as promoting multi-lateralism.

Locklear also reiterated that while the US does not take sides as regards the West Philippine Sea issue, the US remains concerned about developments in the area and emphasized that they are opposed to unilateral actions that will change the status quo.

He also gave the assurance that in spite of the on-going crisis in the Middle East, the US remains committed to its policy of re-balancing to Asia, emphasizing that the re-balance includes political economic, and military aspects.

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