US announces $500 million in military aid to Philippines

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have announced a $500 million military funding package aimed at bolstering the Philippines' defence capabilities.

The announcement came during meetings with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has been reinforcing the long-standing treaty alliance between Manila and Washington amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

The funding package includes allocations for naval equipment and $125 million dedicated to constructing and improving facilities at Philippine military bases, which US forces will use under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. This development comes as both nations anticipate continued aggressive actions by China in the region.

President Marcos praised the strong communication and cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of US military presence in maintaining stability and peace in Asia. He highlighted that the U.S.-Philippines alliance and key issues in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region are regularly reassessed to ensure agile and effective responses.