The United States has announced additional security assistance to support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), following a meeting between Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The two officials met on the sidelines of the ongoing ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu, according to a report of RH Edniel Parrosa.
In a statement released by Hegseth’s office, the United States said it would increase funding through the American Security Cooperation Fund to help advance the AFP’s modernization efforts.
The move also aims to strengthen cooperation among allies along the First Island Chain, a strategic island chain stretching from Japan through Taiwan and the northern Philippines to parts of Southeast Asia.
The US also said Hegseth and Teodoro had agreed to launch an Alliance Command and Control Modernization Sprint to improve real-time coordination between the two countries’ armed forces.
The initiative is expected to enhance bilateral military coordination and strengthen defense cooperation amid growing regional security concerns.
However, the Philippine government has yet to provide further details on the additional US assistance and the specific arrangements for the proposed modernization initiative.
Watch the full report below:
