Washington keen on intensifying security cooperation

MANILA, Philippines - The United States assured the Philippines that Washington is determined to intensify defense and security cooperation with Manila in support of its own efforts to boost its national defense capacity.

Ashton Carter, deputy defense secretary, gave the assurance during his call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday.

“We had a good discussion on intensifying our defense cooperation and the current challenges in the region. Dr. Carter reiterated the commitment of the US to work with us and support our efforts to strengthen our military and its ability to defend our country,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario added that Carter also assured him that the US stands solidly behind the efforts of the Philippines to resolve the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea in a peaceful manner and consistent with the rule of law.

“I welcomed Dr. Carter’s strong support for our efforts at peacefully settling the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. We are committed to seeing this through,” Del Rosario said, referring to the arbitration case that the Philippines filed against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Both officials agreed that it is important to increase the number of exercises and activities between the military and defense establishments of the two countries to support the military training and capacity building efforts of the Philippines.

“This increased rotational presence will be crucial in allowing us to maximize our own investment in our defense,” Del Rosario said.

“We will be able to increase and maximize the value and returns of the P75 billion the President has allocated for our defense for the next five years, the increased rotational presence, exercises, training and other activities with US forces,” he added.

Carter also told Del Rosario that he always had an interest in the Philippines, starting when he first met the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., when both of them were members of academe in institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts.

Carter, the second highest ranking official in the US Defense Department, has served the US government in different capacities. He has been a member of academe and think tanks, as well as private corporations. He holds a doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of Oxford and bachelor’s degrees in physics and medieval history from Yale University.