US Defense Chief reaffirms commitment for greater US-PHL military cooperation

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 30): US Defense Chief reaffirms commitment for greater US-PHL military cooperation
 
Visiting United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the ongoing discussions on a Framework Agreement that will allow wider US military presence in the Philippines for greater regional stability.

In a statement following his meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III Friday in Malacanang, Hagel said the agreement will strengthen cooperation between the two countries militarily and help them work together more effectively.

“So, both now and the future, that relationship will strengthen,” Hagel said adding that “this progress is welcomed and encouraging. I noted that negotiating teams are working hard to finish the Framework Agreement in the near future.”

The US official also assured that the United States doesn’t seek permanent bases in the Philippines and instead use a new model of military-to-military cooperation suited for the US and the Philippines military partnership.

Hagel said that the US looks to increase its rotational presence in the Philippines as what America did recently in Singapore and Australia.

“Such an arrangement would benefit both our militaries by increasing our ability to train and operate together. Deepening engagement opportunities between our forces will further support President Aquino’s defense modernization agenda,” the US defense official said.

Hagel said the US has a great deal of experience in building a modern military and his country is willing to share what it learned in the past to its Filipino allies.

The US Defense Chief stressed that he discussed with President Aquino the situation in the South China Sea, an issue which the United States and its partners hope to resolve through peaceful means and without coercion.

The US, he said, supports ASEAN’s efforts to negotiate the South China Sea Code of Conduct, which will help peacefully-manage disagreements and tensions arising from competing territorial and maritime claims.

Hagel encouraged claimant nations to peacefully resolve their disputes to internationally accepted mechanisms in accordance with international law including the Law of the Sea.

He said the US supports the Philippines’ efforts to solve its dispute by bringing the issue to international arbitration.

The US Defense Secretary arrived in Manila as part of his four-nation trip to South-East Asia. His visit to the Philippines coincides with the 62nd anniversary of the signing of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty on August 30, 1951.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=560628