Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and his United States counterpart Lloyd Austin engaged in a phone conversation Wednesday to discuss “the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate—safely and responsibly—wherever international law allows.”
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Patrick Ryder in a readout said that Austin expressed the “ironclad” support of the US for the Philippines amid its ongoing maritime challenges in the West Philippine Sea.
“Both officials also welcomed opportunities for frequent communication as a core part of their commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippines alliance in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” added Ryder in the readout published by the Pentagon.
On Tuesday, Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, Jr. welcomed the visiting General Charles Brown, Jr. chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense.
They discussed areas of mutual interest aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and the US. Brown is in the country to participate in a series of military engagements.
“Reflecting on the recent talks with US Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary Teodoro reiterated the importance of the continued cooperation between the two nations’ defense establishments,” said Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.
Brown is expected to visit one of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, according to reports.
