US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Sunday saluted the two nations’ enduring military alliance, “from the crags of Corregidor to the streets of Marawi,” as he led the twin commemorations of Veterans’ Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
“The Philippines is our oldest treaty ally in Asia and our strong bond remains unbreakable,” Kim said at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City to an audience that included Filipino and American veterans, military officials and former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Kim’s remarks were the latest in a tenure full of public expressions of confidence in the durability of US-Philippine ties, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s sidling up to China and Russia and his brash rejection in August of a US offer to sell “useless” F-16 jet fighters to the country.
Time to remember
Speaking to reporters, Kim said the day’s celebration was a fitting time to remember not only those who fought in World War I, which unofficially ended in an armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, but also the “strength of the partnership between the United States and the Philippines.”
“We have shared sacrifices, and I’m convinced every day that our partnership grows stronger because of the dedication and commitment of generals like [US Army Pacific Commander Gen. Robert] Brown and [Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito] Galvez,” he said.
Kim also hailed Ramos as one of his favorite examples of those who “placed their countries and loved ones above themselves.”