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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US to help PH in defense modernization goals—US top official

US to help PH in defense modernization goals—US top official

Published Jun 10, 2022 02:24 pm

The United States will help the Philippines in its defense modernization goals, a top US official said.

DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin and US Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman (Photo courtesy of the DFA)

United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during her visit to Manila on June 9 that her country will "help the Philippines meet its defense modernization goals."

This is among the several commitments the US official reaffirmed in her farewell call to the outgoing Foreign Affairs chief.

Sherman also conveyed their commitment to helping the Philippines, a traditional and long-time ally, address the daunting regional and global challenges both countries face.

According to Locsin, both sides agreed to "engage constructively" in protecting democracy and human rights at home and abroad.

The US, as an "important and strategic trading and investment partner of the Philippines," will also support the country's economic recovery efforts, including its transition to clean energy and digitalization.

Locsin reiterated the Philippines' invitation for the US to support the three-year UN Joint Program on Human Rights (2021-2024). The said program demonstrates the highest level of the Philippines' commitment to inclusive partnerships and continuing reforms in human rights, accountability, and the rule of law, and to investing in the capacity-strengthening of national institutions.

During the meeting, Sherman personally thanked Locsin for his "significant contributions to the Philippine-United States alliance, especially in light of the restoration of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in July 2021."

Before the call on Locsin, Sherman also met with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who agreed to deepen the long-standing alliance between the two countries.

The Deputy Secretary is in the country to meet with both outgoing and incoming administrations to discuss concrete ways to further strengthen the relations amidst the Philippine Government transition.

Sherman is the highest-ranking State Department official to visit the country since the start of the pandemic. She is visiting the Philippines for the first time as part of a series of visits to the region.

Related Tags

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman DEFENSE MODERNIZATION 61022 PH-US ties DFA SECRETARY TEODORO LOCSIN JR Teodoro Locsin Jr.
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