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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, US eye expanded defense cooperation, stronger Indo-Pacific partnerships

PH, US eye expanded defense cooperation, stronger Indo-Pacific partnerships

Published Aug 6, 2025 04:57 pm
(L-R) Col. Daniel Oh, chief of the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG-P), and Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Irineo C. Espino discuss ways to expand the defense cooperation between the Philippines and United States during a meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo: DND)
(L-R) Col. Daniel Oh, chief of the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG-P), and Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Irineo C. Espino discuss ways to expand the defense cooperation between the Philippines and United States during a meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo: DND)
The Philippines and United States are exploring additional avenues for defense cooperation and deeper engagement in multilateral security partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region.
Senior officials from the Department of National Defense (DND) and Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG-P) met at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to reaffirm both nations’ commitment to strengthening military ties amid rising regional security challenges.
The DND was represented by Senior Undersecretary Irineo C. Espino while the JUSMAG-P was led by its new chief, Col. Daniel Oh.
In a statement Wednesday, Aug. 6, the DND said the discussions focused on broadening cooperation in areas such as capability development, training and interoperability, and logistics support.
Espino and Oh talked about the successful joint simulation exercise on the delivery of family food packs for flood-affected communities held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga last Aug. 2.
They also explored ways to reinforce the ironclad commitment between the Philippines and the United States, and identified opportunities to further strengthen defense and military cooperation following the visit of President Marcos Jr. to Washington, D.C., and his meeting with US President Donald Trump on July 22.
Both sides also discussed efforts to align with regional security frameworks and enhance engagement in multilateral defense initiatives.
“The meeting also further emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum of the robust PH-US defense engagements, gradually increasing the sophistication of military exercises, and advancing multilateral partnerships to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement read.
The JUSMAG-P has been instrumental in the implementation of defense grants, including the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programs, which provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with critical equipment such as aircraft, vehicles, communication systems, and weaponry to support the latter's ongoing modernization efforts.
Aside from material support, the JUSMAG-P also facilitates dozens of joint training activities annually, including Balikatan Exercise, Salaknib Exercise, and various subject-matter expert exchanges that focus on maritime security, cyber defense, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance.
The support by JUSMAG-P is considered crucial by the DND as it bolsters the country’s strategic posture amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and other regional flashpoints.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. underscored the importance of fostering defense cooperation not only with traditional allies such as the United States but also with a broader network of like-minded nations committed to upholding a rules-based international order.

Related Tags

DND JUSMAG-P defense cooperation multilateral partnership Indo-Pacific WPS
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