Obama vows 'ironclad' commitment to defend PH

From Rappler (Nov 17): Obama vows 'ironclad' commitment to defend PH

(UPDATED) President Barack Obama visits a PH warship even as his government pledges $79M in assistance to bolster the Philippines' maritime security



PLEDGING SUPPORT. US President Barack Obama (R) speaks following a tour of the BRP Gregario Del Pilar in Manila Harbor in Manila on November 17, 2015 after arriving to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP

(4th UPDATE) – US president Barack Obama visited Pier 13, South Harbor in this city on Tuesday, November 17, to meet with Philippine defense and military officials, check the navy’s flagship vessel, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, and pledge his nation's "ironclad" commitment to its longtime ally.

"The United States has been committed to the security of this region for more than 70 years, we have a treaty obligation, an ironclad commitment, to the defence of our ally the Philippines, who can count on the United States," Obama said as he toured the Philippine Navy's flagship vessel in Manila.

 

US President Barack Obama speaks at the Manila South Harbor after visiting the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, November 17, 2015. Image courtesy of the 7th Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP

 

In a statement, the US government said that the Philippines, one of Washington's most loyal allies in Asia and one of the fiercest critics of China's actions in the South China Sea, will get the most support from the US among its neighbors– a record $79 million in assistance to bolster maritime security.

 

(READ: US pledges $259M to Southeast Asian allies)

 

The United States will "grant" the Philippines a US Coast Guard cutter, according to the statement. It did not elaborate.

In his speech before defense and military officials at South Harbor on Tuesday afternoon, Obama pledged to provide the Philippines 2 ships, according to reports.

However, the two US warships now with the Philippine Navy – BRP Del Pilar and BRP Alcaraz – were not given by America. It was purchased by the Philippine military.

Fastest ship

 

US President Barack Obama exits the Philippine Navy ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar, November 17, 2015. Image courtesy 7th Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP

 

BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, the Navy’s fastest ship, was once deployed to the disputed Scarborough Shoal during a standoff with Chinese ships in 2012. It was also used at the height of relief efforts in central Visayas, which was damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

A Hamilton class cutter and once the largest ship of the US Coast Guard, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar is the first of 3 major vessels the Philippine Navy had planned to acquire. The second US-built ship, BRP Alcaraz, is also now with the Philippine Navy as well.

 

The Philippine government bought the Hamilton class cutter early in 2011 for approximately $13 million (P450 million) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

 

In early 2014, the Philippine Navy started pushing for the purchase of its 3rd Hamilton class cutter from the US.

 

Obama arrived shortly before noon Tuesday for the APEC Leaders' Summit.

 

His visit to the South Harbor came at a time when the US military is flexing its military muscle in territories disputed by China and its Asian neighbors. The Philippines is in a maritime dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

 

US officials have said that the visit seeks to highlight US commitment to regional maritime security, as a "showcase" of US-Philippine maritime cooperation.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/113121-obama-visit-ph-navy-ship-military-support