On 72nd year of MDT, Philippines, US reaffirm alliance
Credit to Author: Pia Lee-Brago| Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — The United States is firm in its commitment to the alliance and partnership with the Philippines as the two countries celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty.
The MDT, signed Aug. 30, 1951, aims to enhance security cooperation between the two countries. The 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement were later established to complement and operationalize plans of mutual defense.
“The United States stands firm in our ironclad commitment to our alliance and partnership with the Philippines as we face new and continuing challenges,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“Our security forces continue to strengthen their capabilities and work together to secure a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” the US embassy said in a statement.
“The mechanisms under it shall continue to be implemented to further enhance the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to perform its constitutional duty of protecting our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar.
The US Department of State reiterated that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft and armed forces – including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea – would invoke US mutual defense commitments.
Since 2015, the State Department has provided the Philippines with over $463 million in security assistance, primarily through Foreign Military Financing, International Military Education and Training and Peacekeeping Operations funding through the Global Peace Operations Initiative.
The US Department of Defense has provided an additional $237 million in security assistance since 2018, primarily under Section 333 Authority to Build Capacity, Section 332 Defense Institution Capacity Building, Section 1263 Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative and the Global Security Contingency Fund.