U.S. Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin III, bumisita sa Subic, Zambales kasunod ng 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

Transcript

00:00U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III directed his visit to the Philippines in a two-plus-two ministerial dialogue yesterday.

00:11This is Patrick de Jesus' report.

00:16In the two-plus-two ministerial meeting yesterday,

00:19one of the U.S. promises was the provisional understanding between the Philippines and China

00:26which resulted in a peaceful rotation and re-provisioning or re-remission of the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayunginsol, Kamakailan.

00:34The U.S. hopes that China will not block the Philippines' re-remission.

00:40It's very important that that be the standard, not the exception.

00:44And as I said to the Chinese foreign minister when we met in Laos a few days ago,

00:49China must uphold its commitments to not obstruct the Philippines in their resupply missions.

00:55We stand by our ironclad defense commitment to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty.

01:00According to the DFA, part of the agreement with China is the exchange of information

01:06and not the Philippines' permission for the ROREC operation.

01:11On the issue of notification, I think the more accurate term is exchange of information,

01:17which is exactly what we did with China, both of us.

01:22And the fact that the supply was a relative success,

01:26I think indicates that it's something that we are committed to pursue in succeeding supply missions,

01:36provided, of course, China also adheres to the understanding.

01:40Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will provide the Philippines with US$500 million as military assistance.

01:51According to the AFP, this will help them and the Philippine Coast Guard

01:57in strengthening the mission to defend the territory of the country,

02:01which will help regional security and maintain the free and open Indo-Pacific.

02:08Following the promised US$500 million of military financing

02:13and an additional US$128 million of investment for EDCA sites,

02:19it is expected that there will be broader cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.

02:25This Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III visited Subic Bay, Zambales,

02:32as part of his visit to the Philippines.

02:35He visited the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Subic

02:38and met with Navy Chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adasi, Jr.

02:43Austin also visited their shipyard company to show support for the defense-industrial cooperation between the two countries.

02:52He also met with the crew of the US Naval Ship Millinocket,

02:56which is docked in Subic while under repair.

02:59We've come a long way in three and a half years in our relationship with the Philippines.

03:04I think it's been fascinating to be a part of this and we look to do a lot more going forward.

03:11In other talks, Austin said that although the US is ready to help protect Israel from possible attacks,

03:19his priority is to lower tensions to avoid the widespread chaos in the Middle East.

03:25Following the death of Hezbollah commander in Lebanon in an airstrike,

03:31Hamas leader Ismail Haniye was also killed.

03:36I don't think war is inevitable.

03:38I maintain that.

03:39I think there's always room and opportunities for diplomacy

03:43and I'd like to see parties pursue those opportunities.

03:48Patrick de Azuz for Pabansan TV in Bagong, Philippines.