On the verge of a trilateral summit involving the United States, Japan, and the Philippines, two influential U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill on Wednesday aimed at allocating $2.5 billion to enhance Manila’s defenses against Chinese pressures.
Republican Bill Hagerty, a former ambassador to Japan, and Democrat Tim Kaine proposed the bill, which authorizes $500 million annually in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines until 2029.
The Philippines, a historic ally of the United States, has gained strategic importance in efforts to counter China’s influence. In dire need of resources to modernize its long-neglected armed forces, this funding would be pivotal.
The bill mandates that the U.S. Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Pentagon, present an annual spending plan to Congress detailing how the grant would be utilized, along with an annual report on enhancing the U.S.-Philippines defense relationship.
The outlined improvements cover various areas important for bolstering Philippine defense capabilities, such as coastal defense, long-range fires, integrated air defenses, maritime security, aerial systems (both manned and unmanned), ground mobility vehicles, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and defensive cybersecurity.
Hagerty emphasized the necessity of deepening cooperation with the Philippines amidst “Communist China’s growing aggression” in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.
Echoing this sentiment, Kaine stressed the importance of providing the Filipino people with adequate resources to counter looming threats.
The proposed funding aims to significantly strengthen and modernize the defense capabilities of the U.S.-Philippines alliance.
As part of the summit agenda, U.S. President Joe Biden will hold bilateral talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, followed by a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida.
This summit is expected to address strategies for countering Chinese pressure, particularly in the disputed South China Sea.
In 2022, the United States allocated $100 million in FMF to the Philippines, highlighting the strengthening defense ties between the two nations under Marcos’s leadership, which contrasts with the previous administration’s warmer approach to China.
