MANILA – The strong military ties between the Philippines and the United States were further highlighted following an introductory phone call between the respective National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the two governments on Friday.

“National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz of the United States held an introductory phone call on Friday to discuss recent developments in the Philippines-United States Alliance,” the National Security Council (NSC) said in a media statement Saturday.

The two NSAs, the NSC said, exchanged views on the regional security situation, particularly in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.

They tackled future bilateral activities between the Philippines and the US that seek to “accelerate the progress in the alliance.”

“They also underscored the importance of engaging with other like-minded partners to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the NSC said.

Año and Waltz agreed to continue their discussion to include close coordination at the working level.

“NSA Año thanked NSA Waltz for the continued assurances of the United States’ ironclad commitment to the Philippines,” the NSC said.