Lorenzana, US diplomat discuss relations, defense ties

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday (Sept 28) met newly appointed US Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava to discuss developments on bilateral relations of the Philippines and the United States.

Lorenzana and Variava discussed recent developments in the region, and the way ahead for the defense cooperation of both countries, the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement.

The officials also discussed updates on upcoming bilateral defense activities, logistics cooperation, and Philippine military modernization.

The two also reaffirmed commitment to the Philippines-US alliance through the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Lorenzana also thanked Variava for the US government’s support for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response.

Lorenzana visited the US in early September for the 70th anniversary of the MDT, a defense pact which binds the two countries to come to each other’s aid in case of an armed attack in the Pacific, including the West Philippine Sea.

The meeting at the DND headquarters was the first between the two officials since Variava’s appointment earlier this month. It was also Lorenzana’s first official face-to-face engagement after his 14-day quarantine from his official trip to the US.

TSB