Goldberg tells officers' group of 'ironclad commitment' of US to defend PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (May 12): Goldberg tells officers' group of 'ironclad commitment' of US to defend PHL

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg reiterated the "ironclad commitment" of his country to defend the Philippines against external attack.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala Monday said Goldberg made this statement during the annual meeting of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers Inc. (AGFO) on May 8 where he was the guest speaker.

The Philippines is the US's oldest ally in the Pacific.

Goldberg said that the US remains committed to the security and humanitarian interests of the Philippines.

“The recently signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will help the US-Philippine alliance to continue to promote peace and stability during this age of remarkable economic growth in the past six decades,” he added.

“We also had the recent visit of our president (US President Barack Obama) and he made it clear that time to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our alliance and our Mutual Defense Treaty,” the US Ambassador stressed.

Zagala said the fellowship meeting was led by AGPO president and chair Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan (retired) and other officers and directors of the association along with some active military officers.

AGFO has over 800 members from the AFP, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Penology and Jail Management, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

The organization remains involved in the discussions of significant issues concerning defense and security.

This is the third time a US Ambassador addressed AGFO, after Kristie Kenney and Harry Thomas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=642870