US Senate seeks to improve US-PH defense ties

MANILA, Philippines – The United States Senate has passed a resolution calling for increased defense cooperation with the Philippines.

In a statement released by the Philippine Embassy in Washington Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia said the approval of Senate resolution 481 is a “very positive development that further underscores the importance the US places on its alliance with the Philippines.”

Cuisia said the resolution called for enhanced security ties between the two countries, urging Washington to continue to assist the country in the areas of “maritime security, maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and related communications infrastructure.”

He said the resolution also stressed the shared interest of the two countries in promoting “freedom of navigation” and adherence to “rules-based, peaceful, multilateral, and democratic processes” to resolve competing claims in maritime areas.

“The Senate confirms the alliance’s centrality and enduring value as one of the key pillars of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and as a key tool in addressing the emerging security environment in the region,”  the resolution read.