The Philippines will benefit from $9 billion in initiatives that would be launched by Washington in response to China's continued aggression and in deterrence to Indo-Pacific threats, a US senator visiting Manila disclosed on Thursday, August 3.
Speaking before select Philippine reporters in Makati City, Senator Rick Scott said a new initiative—the Pacific Deterrence Initiative—will step up the Philippines and the US' strategy in countering China's aggression in the region, among other purposes.
The initiative would be rolled out after the passing into law of the US' National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to happen in October.
It would be the first time that the National Defense Authorization Act, which is being passed yearly, would include such kind of initiative, according to Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesperson of the US Embassy in Manila.
According to the overview provided by the US Defense website, the Pacific Deterrence Initiative has been taken as the department "is prioritizing China as its preeminent pacing challenge." It added that "a great amount of the Department's investments and efforts are focused on this threat and strengthening Indo-Pacific deterrence.
Scott did not talk further about the initiative as both houses of the US Congress are yet to convene.
Gangopadhyay said the Pacific Deterrence Initiative would complement the existing Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington, which were already bolstered and expanded to respond to the arising threats in the Indo-Pacific.
Earlier, the US Congress already granted the Philippines $100 million dollars for the latter's military modernization program.
"I support initiatives to create resiliency and success for the government, the Philippines and people of the Philippines... I'm going to support the continuous increase in [the] relationship [between the Philippines and the US]," Scott said, assuring Manila of his support before the US Congress.
Despite Washington's many pronouncements that are supportive of the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea, China has continued its aggressive actions and incursions into the waters.
Scott, a member of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, said the US may send arms to the Philippines, depending on what the two governments would work out.
"So we'll work out that what will work with the Philippine government, and our government will decide what happens," he said.
"But our goal is to continue to help the Philippines—one help their economy grow, and to make sure their military is resilient," Scott added.
Scott left the Philippines on Thursday noon after meeting with key officials from the Philippine departments on the frontline of upholding the country's territorial integrity.
Since Monday, the US lawmaker had met Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary JV Chan-Gonzaga as well as Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Scott said he followed the high-level visits already made by several US officials early this year and last year to win the country's trust in Washington.
"You build relationships with people... I want to be helpful to the Philippines' relationship with America. And the best way to do it is show up. So I'm supporting what the executive branch of the US government has been doing," he said.
Scott assured the Philippines that he would vouch for the continued ties between Manila and Washington once he returns home amid continued security concerns in the region.
"I like to get something done when I have to get back from a trip. So my goal is to be able to go back to the American public and talk about the the importance of continuing to build the relationship for the Philippines because of our national security," he said.