United States, Philippine defense officials discuss maritime capabilities

MANILA, Philippines — Opportunities to support the Philippines’ maritime capabilities have been discussed by the United States and Philippine defense officials.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford met with Philippine officials to discuss bilateral and multilateral opportunities to support the country’s maritime capabilities and ability to operate safely, responsibly and lawfully in its exclusive economic zone.

Ford was in the Philippines following her visit to Vietnam and Thailand for a series of engagements with defense and military officials in all three countries, the US Department of Defense said in a March 26 readout.

Her final stop was in the Philippines, where she met with counterparts from the Department of National Defense, Department of Foreign Affairs and National Security Council to advance bilateral initiatives to enhance information-sharing, interoperability and bilateral security cooperation.

Ford also met with Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos to discuss support for the Philippines’ maritime capabilities and ability to operate safely and lawfully in its waters.

“Robust US engagement with allies and partners in Southeast Asia contributes to a peaceful, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific,” Ford said.

“After visiting all three countries, it is clear to me that these relationships with the United States are stronger than ever,” she added.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spoke by phone last week.

Austin reaffirmed the “ironclad” US commitment to the Philippines following the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia’s dangerous obstruction of a lawful Philippine resupply mission to the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on March 23.

He emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction and reiterated that the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries’ armed forces, public vessels and aircraft – including their coast guards – anywhere in the Pacific as well as the South China Sea.

The two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows.