AS FILIPINOS celebrated their nation’s 119th Independence Day on Monday, June 12, the U.S. congratulated the Philippines and emphasized the enduring U.S.-PH alliance built on “shared democratic values, growing commerce, and strong people-to-people ties.”
“The United States proudly stands with the Philippines as a longstanding ally, especially as the country confronts challenges associated with terrorism and extremism, including recent attacks in Marawi City and elsewhere. We admire the resilience and strength of Filipino people in battling adversity and building a more prosperous and secure future,” Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson said on behalf of President Donald Trump and the American people.
The revelries across the Philippines were marred by moments of silence offered to the fallen men and women who were killed in the ongoing conflict in Marawi City. The military operation aimed to crush Maute rebels in Marawi City, which is now in its fourth week, has left over 200 people dead, including 191 terrorists, 29 civilians and close to 60 security forces, the military reported. The siege forced Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law.
Echoing Tillerson’s statement, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim assured that the U.S. would provide counterterrorism support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during this ordeal.
“This is a cooperation that has continued for some time now. It’s a cooperation that’s appreciated by the Philippines’ military. It’s a cooperation that has continued with the knowledge of the Philippines’ government,” Kim said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that U.S. military advisors stationed in Zamboanga City have provided a surveillance plane to identify the location of Maute fighters, as well as to train Filipino soldiers, and for the past weeks gave some pieces of equipment to the Philippine Marines involved in the operation to flush out other Islamist gunmen in Marawi City.
Lt. General Carlito Galvez, Western Mindanao Command Chief, added that American troops have supported their Filipino counterparts in capability enhancement, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance civic actions.
Duterte thanked the U.S. for its support of the Marawi City offensive but clarified that he did not appeal for any assistance. The Manila-Washington relations have turned sour last year when Duterte’s berated the U.S. and former Pres. Barack Obama, over their criticisms of his anti-drug war.
Despite Duterte’s initiative of a foreign policy that is less dependent economically and militarily on the U.S.—in favor of China and Russia—the U.S.-PH relations remain bound by a 66-year-old treaty that obliges them “to defend themselves against external armed attacks, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone.”
More than the defense treaty, this relationship was built on strong democratic values and moral responsibility to ensure peace and security not just for their own people, but for every citizen of the world. (AJPress)
