Election outcome unlikely to affect US support to PH – officials

[From left to right] United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, PH Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, and PH Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. pose during a photo opportunity before the start of ‘4th Philippines-US Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Consultations’ at the Tejeros Hall in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. —Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

US Defense chief Lloyd Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the assurance during the policy-level dialogue termed “2+2” held in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Austin and Blinken met with Philippine counterparts, Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Foreign Affairs secretary Enrique Manalo, to discuss policy directions on the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites, and more military support amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

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Austin said that America’s security assistance to the Philippines enjoys bipartisan support, regardless of the outcome of the November polls which will either see Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump emerge victorious.

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“We see and have seen and we’ll continue to see bipartisan support for the Philippines in our country, and anytime that you see that level of bipartisan support in our government, you can bet that support will continue in good fashion,” Austin said in a press conference after the 2+2 ministerial meeting.

Blinken also noted that “a long-standing alliance” between Manila and Washington “doesn’t change from election to election.”

He also cited the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between both nations, which calls for each other’s defense in case of an armed attack.

“That commitment will endure again, irrespective of administrations,” he said.

In line with the MDT, Blinken announced its $500 million (P29.3 billion) worth of military and security support for the Philippines in a move called by Austin as “unprecedented” and “once-in-a-generation.”