The United States is ready to provide additional military assistance to the Philippines to effectively deal with security problems as part of the continued robust relations between the two long-time allies.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim has relayed Washington’s commitment to the defense partnership with the Philippines during a meeting with President Duterte in Davao City last Monday.
“On H.E. Sung Kim part, he is quite proud of the cooperation between US and PH intelligence forces in terms of intelligence and information sharing, training and equipment support,” Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
“Sung Kim also assured PRRD that the US understands the security concerns of the Philippines and that the US is ready to provide more military equipment, assistance and training,” he added.
The President, for his part, affirmed the country’s “strong” relations with the United States during his conversations with the American ambassador.
They also agreed that both nations have “mutual interests and shared values” and committed to hold more “fruitful” engagements, Abella said.
“The President said that PH-US relations at the bilateral level remain strong and there is readiness to discuss more matters of mutual interest with the US,” Abella said.
“They agreed that PH and the US have mutual interests and shared values. Both stressed that these fruitful engagements and discussions are very important in ensuring that both states are on the same page,” he added.