To build its defense strategy and better equip its armed forces, the Philippines is currently in talks with the United States for the possible deployment of more US military assets and equipment, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said.

In a recent interview on Newswatch PH, the ambassador shared plans to conduct more visiting forces exercises before the end of the year, as well as the deployment of missiles.

“This is just part of a bigger picture where we will do what we can to have interoperability in terms of training our soldiers to be able to use some of the equipment that the US may make available for our armed forces,” he said.

“We're not only talking about missile systems, but more importantly, other types of equipment that we'll be able to use for our defense, part of our defense strategy, and at the same time, part of our alliance with the United States. So it's not just the missile systems, but also probably other equipment in relation with intelligence gathering and so forth and so on,” he added.

The envoy explained that these activities fall under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Romualdez quoted US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the White House who described the increased military ties between the two countries as “peace through deterrence.”

“Peace through deterrence is what we're after,” he added as he shrugged off China’s possible reaction against the country’s plan to acquire more US missiles, pointing out the Aug. 11 incident as a “continuing aggression” from Beijing.

“But these are all defense systems that we're putting up in place here in our area. So, I don't see any reason why. (Department of National Defense) Secretary (Gilberto) Teodoro has made it very clear that this is an internal matter and that this should not alarm any country, not only China, but any country. We're doing what we are supposed to do to protect our territorial integrity,” he maintained.

The envoy likewise said the Philippines is “open to the idea” of being part of the entire shipbuilding operation of the United States, referring to the former Hanjin Shipyard—now Agila Subic multi-use facility—that had been acquired by an American finance company and is now in operation for commercial purposes.

“So, that offer has been made to the Pentagon, to the shipbuilders, not only from the United States, but from other countries as well. I think it's only natural for us to try to bring in as much as we can, because that is basically a commercial business activity that we are most welcome,” he said.

Reports said that proposals to build US Navy ships in the Subic shipyard have been discussed in previous meetings with the Pentagon.

US-based Cerberus Capital Management purchased the former distressed property in 2022, and leased it out to tenants.