'Phl, US security cooperation at historic high'

The United States has reached “historic” heights in its security arrangement with the Philippines, especially with an expanded bases access after years at a “low point” during the Duterte administration, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

- PIA LEE-BRAGO

At a press briefing, Austin noted great progress in building alliances and security partnerships around the globe, including in the Philippines.

“But there’s no greater example of our progress in the Indo-Pacific than the Philippines. When I started as secretary, our ties with the Philippines were at a low point. We were even on the brink of losing our decades-old Visiting Forces Agreement,” Austin said.

“But after three years of intensive engagement and partnership, we are in an entirely new chapter of our alliance,” he said.

He said he will visit Japan and the Philippines, together with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the coming days.

Austin noted that President Marcos agreed last year to include four new locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).