The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday welcomed the passage of a United States Senate bill authorizing up to $2.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines, saying the measure supports efforts to strengthen the country’s defense posture and military readiness.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told Manila Standard that the military views developments that bolster defense and security capabilities as positive, particularly those that contribute to modernization and capability development.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomes developments that strengthen the country’s defense and security posture, particularly initiatives that support the modernization, capability development, and readiness of our forces,” Padilla said in a statement.
However, Padilla clarified that the Department of National Defense (DND), as the primary civilian authority overseeing defense policy and international defense cooperation, is best positioned to address the details and policy implications of the proposed US military assistance.
“At the same time, the details, policy implications, and official position on the proposed US military assistance—including its scope, timelines, and alignment with national priorities—are best addressed by the Department of National Defense,” she said.
The US Senate earlier approved a bill authorizing the allocation of $2.5 billion in FMF grant assistance to the Philippines from 2026 to 2030 under the proposed Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act (PERA). The measure, passed on Dec. 17 as part of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is now awaiting the signature of US President Donald Trump.
Under PERA, the United States will earmark up to $500 million annually over five fiscal years to support the development of Philippine defense
capabilities, a move seen as deepening US-Philippines defense cooperation and strengthening interoperability amid growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Under the proposed law, the US Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and other agencies, will submit an annual report to Congress on efforts to enhance the bilateral defense relationship.
The report will include assessments of capabilities needed to modernize Philippine defenses, such as coastal defense, integrated air defenses, maritime security, intelligence and surveillance, cybersecurity, and manned and unmanned systems.
For its part, Padilla said the AFP remains focused on its core mandate.
“The AFP remains focused on safeguarding the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of the Philippines, while ensuring that any support received is utilized transparently, responsibly, and in accordance with existing laws, policies, and alliances,” she said.
