"They [Washington] wish to strengthen US military capacity to ensure it can successfully deter conflict and coercion and respond decisively when needed," said Colonel Restituto Padilla of the Philippines.
"It was agreed that developing the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] is of paramount importance, specifically in the areas of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and command and control," stated Defense Department spokesman Peter Galvez following the meeting.
"In addition to building the AFP’s capability, there was also an agreement to cooperate on information sharing through the crafting of a General Security of Military Information Agreement," said Galvez.
The Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia and Vietnam all lay claim to disputed territory in the South China Sea. The greatest tension is centered on the uninhabited Spratly Islands, where the Philippines, China and Vietnam have carried out land reclamation work.
Earlier this month Philippines Foreign Minister Albert Del Rosario stated the US and Philippines are united in their opposition to land reclamation by China, which Beijing maintains is intended only to meet civilian demands such as maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and marine scientific research.
"The Philippines fully supports and will pro-actively promote the call of the United States on the '3 halts': halt in reclamation, halt in construction, and halt in aggressive actions that could further heighten tensions," said Albert Del Rosario, adding that "we will agree to be bound only if China and other claimant states agree to the same."
In June, the Philippines, Japan and the US undertook joint naval training, called the 'Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training,' and in April the US and the Philippines carried out joint military exercises involving over 5,000 Philippine troops and about 6,500 US troops, almost twice as many as the total 6,000 to 8,000 troops who have taken part in previous years.
