US to boost Philippine intelligence, DFA says

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario (right) is welcomed at the Pentagon by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates (left). DFA Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Washington has vowed to boost the Philippines’ intelligence capabilities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), where tensions with China are rising over conflicting territorial claims, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday.

It comes after the United States, which is increasingly concerned about the situation in the South China Sea, said on Thursday it was ready to provide hardware to modernize the military of its close ally.

US National Director for Intelligence (NDI) James Clapper made the commitment in a meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in Washington.

Del Rosario is in the US seeking help for the Philippines’ poorly equipped military.

“The US official pledged to enhance the NDI’s intelligence sharing with the Philippines to heighten the latter’s maritime situational awareness and surveillance in the West Philippine Sea,” a DFA statement said.

Clapper was quoted as saying that “we’ll do whatever we can to help” as he expressed concern over recent events in the West Philippine Sea.

The “West Philippine Sea” is the term that the Philippine government now uses for the South China Sea to further stress its claim to part of the area.

Del Rosario was quoted as saying he was “exploring an option” which would allow the Philippines to acquire newer military equipment at a lower cost. However he did not say what this option was.

After their meeting on Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told del Rosario that her government would speed up its military assistance to boost the Philippines’ capabilities.

“We are determined and committed to supporting the defense of the Philippines,” she told a joint news conference.

The Philippines had sought to modernize its military following a series of incidents with China in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Spratlys, a chain of islets believed to sit on vast mineral resources.

However a spokeswoman for President Benigno Aquino said the renewed ties between the United States and the Philippines should not agitate China.

“We renewed the commitment of both countries for a peaceful environment and reiterated our desire for a multilateral approach to resolving issues,” spokeswoman Abigail Valte said in Manila.

“It is just an affirmation of our commitment for peace and stability in the region.”

Aside from China and the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim all or part of the South China Sea which includes the Spratlys.