The U.S. government has pledged $500 million in funding to support the modernization of the Philippines’ military and Coast Guard as tensions with China continue in the South China Sea. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the funding during a press conference with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Philippine Armed Forces headquarters in Manila on July 30. The investment is described as a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to enhance Filipino forces and their Coast Guard capabilities as they shift towards external defense. Blinken highlighted shared concerns with China’s actions in the South China Sea and emphasized the importance of the Philippines’ sovereignty. The funding, part of a $2 billion allocation from the 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, aims to bolster the Philippines’ defense capabilities and act as a deterrent to unlawful foreign aggression. The U.S.-Philippines Alliance plays a critical role in maintaining a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating China’s maritime claims, tensions in the region persist, leading to confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels. The recent funding will support efforts to modernize and strengthen the Philippine armed forces and coastguard in response to escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
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