PH, U.S. coordinate efforts to boost defense, security cooperation | The Final Word - video Dailymotion

CNN Philippines

U.S. and Philippine defense officials are ironing out details of programs that would boost defense cooperation between the two countries.  That's amid increasing threats in the West Philippine Sea.  Senior correspondent David Santos has more.   Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Philippine and U.S. defense officials meeting for more than three hours in Camp Aguinaldo.

00:05 The Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Board meeting an annual gathering

00:10 to coordinate efforts boosting their defense and security cooperation.

00:15 We have dedicated ourselves to addressing the dynamic and evolving challenges

00:20 that confront our nation's security.

00:23 The security environment is extremely challenging right now

00:27 and I want to thank my friend and partner General Bronner for his leadership.

00:31 The meeting also aims to finalize the cycle of projects to be carried out in 2024

00:37 including joint exercises such as the Bali-Katan.

00:42 On Wednesday, officials were in Cagayan and Pampanga to inspect EDCA sites

00:47 or Philippine military camps where U.S. troops are given wider access.

00:52 All of the EDCA sites are sovereign Philippine territory.

00:56 Aside from the possibility of adding more locations,

00:59 there will also be an increase in the U.S. funded projects for the new EDCA sites.

01:05 And the United States has identified investment of almost $110 million to those sites.

01:13 I would like to say that the Philippine government is also spending for these EDCA sites

01:19 primarily because these are our own camps.

01:22 And while they chose to visit EDCA sites in northern Luzon,

01:26 officials say this should not be seen as prepping for potential conflict over Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula.

01:33 All of these joint operations, even the selection of our EDCA sites,

01:38 has nothing to do with the other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

01:45 So the viability of those sites for assistance, for training, and for interoperability is really the key.

01:53 But let there be no doubt, those are sovereign Philippine locations.

01:57 There are calls to expand U.S. presence in the West Philippine Sea,

02:01 including at Pagasa Island and Ayungin Shoal.

02:04 On joint patrols, joint drills, what about a joint forward base?

02:07 Is that, can we do that?

02:09 All I know is about the EDCA site in Malabac,

02:12 the forward base in KIG is something that we haven't talked about.

02:19 I'm not aware of any effort to establish a forward base in KIG.

02:24 KIG, Talayan Island Group.

02:26 Talayan Island Group.

02:27 But the U.S. has been visible in the West Philippine Sea.

02:31 Aside from the sightings of its spy plane,

02:33 Philippine and U.S. navies recently holding joint patrols in Palawan.

02:38 We'll continue to do that for the long term.

02:40 Ultimately, to ensure that we can maintain the freedom of the seas,

02:44 freedom of airspace, so that all the nations in the region can enjoy peace and prosperity.

02:51 Strengthening their alliance in the face of growing threats confronting the two allies.

02:56 David Santos, CNN Philippines.

PH, U.S. coordinate efforts to boost defense, security cooperation | The Final Word

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