American senators eye expanded US-Philippines security ties

President Benigno Aquino shakes hands with US Pacific Command chief Admiral Robert Willard, left, as US ambassador Harry Thomas, second from right, and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, right, look on during his visit at the Malacañang Palace on July 26. AP File Photo

WASHINGTON—Lawmakers have proposed a joint US-Philippine commission on how to enhance security ties, 60 years after the allies signed a mutual defense treaty.

The proposal comes in a resolution introduced this week by Senator Richard Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and co-signed by three other senators.

The resolution commemorates the 1951 treaty. The Philippines has recently sought assurances that under the treaty the US would provide military help if Philippine forces were attacked by China near disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The resolution proposes a commission to look at expanding security ties, including facilities access, training and humanitarian and disaster relief. It has yet to be approved by the Senate.