A VISITING United States security official and a senior Philippine defense official have reiterated the commitment of both countries to the 1952 Mutual Defense Treaty.
US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Department of National Defense Undersecretary Franco Nemesio Gacal renewed the commitment at Camp Aguinaldo last Tuesday during a courtesy call by Del Toro.
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the two sides discussed developments in the Philippines and US defense relations.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty,” said Andolong.
The MDT, signed in 1951, requires both nations to respond to any armed attack in metropolitan territory of either parties or on the island territories or on armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.
During the meeting, Del Toro commended the “professionalism and dedication” of the Philippine Navy.
“He also underscored the commitment of President Joseph Biden Jr. to a positive and productive relationship with the Philippines and that they look forward to working closely with the new administration,” said Andolong.
Andolong said Gacal relayed President Marcos Jr.’s independent foreign policy and “reaffirmed the DND’s mission to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.”
Andolong said Del Toro noted the “importance of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as respecting rules and international law.”
Del Toro also “shared the US’ best practices in naval research, particularly military technologies, addressing climate change, and ways on how the military can support national and economic development,” according to Andolong.
He said the two sides emphasized that the two countries “can learn from one another during education and training exchanges.”
“The meeting ended with the two officials reaffirming the friendship, partnership, and alliance between the Philippines and the US,” said Andolong.
Del Toro also had a separate meeting with Navy chief Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado on Tuesday at the Navy headquarters in Manila.
Navy spokesman Commander Benjo Negranza said the discussions of Del Toro and Bordado focused on the “sustainment of cooperation and strategic partnership” of the US and Philippine navies.
Negranza said the two officials “apprised each other on matters of mutual concern, the gains of various areas of collaborations between the two navies, as well as ways forward to sustain partnership which benefits and promotes diplomacy, maritime security, and regional stability.”
Negranza said Del Toro also “emphasized the importance of cooperation in achieving freedom of navigation.”
Negranza said the visit of Del Toro demonstrates the “robust cooperation between the two naval forces” and bolsters the diplomatic relations of the two countries.
