PH to discuss security ties with 3 allies
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will meet with defense officials of Australia, Japan, and the United States to discuss security ties among the four nations.
Teodoro’s meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III will be held in Hawaii.
Secretary of Defense Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The three countries have been the Philippines’ most vocal and staunchest allies in its territorial dispute with China.
On Tuesday, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels fired water cannon at two Philippine ships en route to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Manila time, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said the defense ministers of the US, Japan and Australia are expected to strengthen their commitment to peace and stability in the region during the meeting.
She said the meeting will pave the way for a “deepening of cooperation and security ties” between the four nations, which is “incredibly important in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We have and will continue to be clear with Beijing that these actions by [the CCG] put Filipino crews in danger; they’ve caused injuries, they’ve caused damage, they’re a complete disregard and violation of international law,” said Singh.
“And so we stand firm with the Philippines and our commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty, she said.