US commitment to PHL defense strong as ever -- Goldberg

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 24): US commitment to PHL defense strong as ever -- Goldberg
 

Outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg stressed Monday that American commitment to the country's defense remains strong as ever.

This includes the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations signed in 1951.

Despite the occasional spats and disagreements, cooperation between the two countries are still ongoing as proven by the different exercises, programs and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation and Agreement.

Goldberg also said they are committed to maintaining a very strong US presence and relationships in the region.

"That will continue, you know the pivot or re-balance is based very much on the knowledge that with the rise of China, with the rise of the Soviet economies, the Southeast Asia, the rest of Asia, the demographic changes of the young population, that Asia is a hugely important area in the 21st century for the prosperity and well-being of the United States and part of our relationships in this area have been based also on the need to produce the kind of security arrangements and alliances that has been this tremendous rise economically, " he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=934099