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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pentagon chief to return to PH for 4th time

Pentagon chief to return to PH for 4th time

Published Nov 13, 2024 01:04 am

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin is set to travel to the Philippines next week to advance United States’ military partnership with the country in the face of growing geopolitical tension worldwide.

The US Defense secretary’s trip to Manila is part of his visit to the region, which will also include Australia, Laos and Fiji.

Austin will depart Washington this week, and his first stop will be the Australian city of Darwin. The date of his arrival is yet to be announced.

Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin will participate in a series of bilateral and multilateral as the US builds on unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security.

“These engagements will drive ongoing efforts to modernize our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Ryder said.

In the Philippines, Austin is going to take his fourth visit “to advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with US and Philippine forces,” Ryder added.

When Austin visited Manila for the second time in February 2023, China called his trip as something that escalated regional tension and undermined regional peace and stability.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the US continued “to step up its military posture” in the Indo-Pacific.

In his February trip, Austin said the US would continue working with the country and support its modernization of defense capabilities because it is its “key ally.”

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