Philippines to clarify alliance with US during Obama visit amid China row

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will be seeking a clearer understanding of its alliance with the United States during the visit of President Barack Obama next week.

Malacañang announced this on Wednesday, saying that issues on defense, political and security cooperation and other priority concerns of the government are part of the agenda of President Benigno Aquino III when he meets with Obama, who will be here on April 28 and 29.

"From the Philippine perspective, we would like to be able to arrive at a clearer understanding with the US on important aspects of the strategic partnership," Presidential Communication Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a televised press briefing.

Coloma said the partnership of the Philippine and the US recognizes "changing and new realities in the region and in the world" that include the tensions in the disputed South China Sea.

He said this alliance is meant to address the capabilities of both countries to respond adequately to the "evolving challenges" such as the territorial disputes.

"There are evolving and changing realities in global and regional security and it is apparent that the situation in the South China Sea is part of that evolving situation and this has been addressed by the US and the Philippines in the last few months," Coloma said.

The Palace official said there is no information yet if Aquino and Obama will be signing agreements.

But whatever the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders, Coloma assured that it will be good for both the Philippines and the US.

"Any dialogue of this nature has a character of taking into account mutual interest and mutual benefit.It cannot just be a one-sided proposition in favor of one party over the other. I believe that both the US and the Philippines are looking at an outcome that is mutually beneficial," Coloma said.

"It is our expectation that it (Obama's visit and dialogue with Aquino) will lead to a clearer understanding on both sides on what we may term as shared vision for the 21st century considering the two countries have a long history of cooperation and friendship, considering that we have a strategic partnership with the US," he added.

Coloma said this strategic partnership covers not only political and security cooperation but trade and investment, tourism, development and people-to-people ties.

Regarding the statements of some US officials expressing support to the Philippines in its dispute with China, Coloma said these "have been encouraging and tend to affirm the cooperation and the partnership of both countries."

He also expressed satisfaction with the actions of the US in connection with the South China Sea dispute.

"The actions that they have taken are aligned to the pronouncements that they have made," Coloma said.