Obama visit highlights strong military relations, friendship between US, PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 25): Obama visit highlights strong military relations, friendship between US, PHL

US President Barack Obama's visit to the Philippines highlights the strong military relations and historic friendship between the Philippines and the United States.

This was emphasized by Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong.

Andolong also believes that the visit of the US President this April 28 to 29 will further strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

"Although we don't know yet what issues will be discussed, we believed President Obama's visit will further strengthen the (existing) relations between the Philippines and the United States," he said.

Malacanang earlier stated that ways to intensify political and security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States will be discussed during Obama's visit.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the PHL-US wide-ranging security partnership includes joint military exercises, such as "Balikatan" and humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities.

It will also include defense and security assistance that supports Philippine efforts toward achieving enhanced defense capabilities.

“The treaty alliance between the Philippines and the US has been a cornerstone of peace and stability in the region,” Coloma said, noting that the United States is the only defense treaty ally of the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=638061