REALIZING that it is outmatched militarily with China, the US has responded to the country’s call for a defense modernization program and has agreed to help equip and train its military.
By Western standards, the Philippines’ military capability has yet to prove itself. An example is its lack of sufficient transport aircraft capable of supporting large-scale troop movements; the country’s forces would have to turn to Americans to achieve such potential.
The defense ties between the two governments have picked up, with Washington dispatching more military assistance to the Philippines. US military aid to the Philippines is expected to double to $30 million by this year.
“Let us not be prisoners of the old history of conflict in our region. With clear vision and firm resolve, we can imbibe the spirit of a new age of dialogue and cooperation to contain and resolve our differences,” said Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario on the Philippine-US partnership and their shared quest for peace.
“In that noble endeavor, we are happy to note that the Philippines and the United States can build on their long-standing record of friendship and make new contributions for the common interest of peace and security for all in our region,” he said.
On October 8, the Philippines Bilateral Exercise (Philbex) 2013 held its opening ceremony aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, that is docked in the Subic Bay Freeport.
“The Republic of the Philippines is a long-standing treaty ally of the United States. Today, our nations stand together in a partnership to make the Pacific region more secure and prosperous,” US Deputy chief of Mission Brian Goldbeck.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, close to 4,000 Filipino and American troops will take part in the ten-day bilateral training that will be conducted at sea and ashore, with focus on several humanitarian assistance and infrastructure projects along with tactical field training.
“Specifically, training will consist of a staff planning exercise, a static aircraft display, multiple field training exercises (FTX), and humanitarian and civic assistance (HCA) projects to include medical, dental, and engineering projects,” DFA also said in its statement.
This year’s exercise will focus on general military skills, and enhancing professional and amicable relations, to help advance common regional security interests between US servicemen and their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
After several run-ins with China in disputed waters in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), this year’s military exchanges also aim to improve the Philippine defense posture against any belligerent scenario.
For decades, the United States has maintained strong bilateral relations with the Philippines, based on a number of factors including robust domestic support for international security, joint strategic goals in the Asia Pacific, a mutual commitment to democratic values, and historical ties.
The US aid is just one of the major components in reigniting and cementing such ties. Many US officials have long considered Filipinos as a reliable partner in the region, the US aid packages for the Philippines have reflected this belief.
In return, the Philippines shares and promotes many of American interests, in maintaining stability and development in the Asian region. This also includes thwarting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, combating terrorism and advancing an orderly process of democratic change and economic development.
Both Philippine and American troops stand to benefit in these military exercises. It is through times like these, that the close partnership between the two nations proves its value.
(AJPress)