Top defense officials of the United States and the Philippines have pledged to bolster military cooperation to tackle regional challenges amid the growing tensions between China and Taiwan.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with his Philippine counterpart Jose Faustino in Hawaii on Friday to discuss reinforcing the U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty and improving maritime cooperation.
“By deepening our cooperation and modernizing our alliance, we can help secure the Philippines’ future, tackle regional challenges and promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” Austin said at a joint press conference.
Defense and security engagement remains “a key pillar of Philippines-U.S. bilateral relations,” Faustino said while expressing his gratitude to Washington for its willingness to work with the Philippines as “an equal, sovereign partner.”…