‘Big brother’: AFP chief lauds US help in protecting PHL interests in sea dispute

From GMA News (Apr 30): ‘Big brother’: AFP chief lauds US help in protecting PHL interests in sea dispute

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang on Thursday lauded the US for helping the country protect its interests in the middle of a dispute with China over territories in the South China Sea.

Catapang made the remark during the closing ceremonies of this year's Balikatan joint military exercises between Filipino and US troops.

"There is no other country that can help us in addressing these global concern, no other country we can think about but the United States of America, our big brother, our friend and our ally," Catapang said.

In an interview after the ceremony, Catapang said the joint military exercises had helped strengthen the country's capabilities, particularly in addressing maritime security issues in the West Philippine Sea—or that portion of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines.

"It's more of developing our capabilities through these Balikatan exercises that the US is helping us protect our national interest in the West Philippine Sea," Catapang said.

Catapang said that aside from internal security problems, the country was also facing global challenges such as terrorism, maritime security issues, climate change, and transnational crimes.

He said the help of the United States in addressing these issues was significant.

He added that the country should eventually have enough capabilities to "stand up and be able to protect our national interest."

"We are developing our armed forces through this training, it can help us a lot," he added. However, "we also have to buy our own equipment and improve our own capabilities, more ships, airplanes, amphibious vehicles," Capatang said.

More than 11,500 Filipino and US troops are involved in the 10-day joint military exercises, which officially ended on Thursday.

Catapang said he was thankful for the participation of the United States that had spent $15 million to move in the troops participating in the exercises.

For his part,  Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, in a statement read by Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, said "personal ties and strengthened institutional links would certainly enhance our collective capacity to meet common security challenges."

"I am certain that this training program has improved our professional skills in various aspects and facets of our combined and joint military operational endeavors," he added.

'Never stand alone'

Joni Scandola, deputy chief of mission for the US Embassy, said the joint military exercises was the "manifestation of the commitment of the United States of America to you, our friend and ally, the Republic of the Philippines."

"I would like to reinforce a promise that our President made just one year ago: 'Allies never stand alone'," Scandola said.

"We are standing with you, side by side, not just for an annual exercise, but for whenever our partnership is truly needed," she added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/479462/news/nation/big-brother-afp-chief-lauds-us-help-in-protecting-phl-interests-in-sea-dispute