Obama to transfer two ships to Philippines navy
MANILA: US President Barack Obama has announced $250 million in maritime security assistance for south-east Asian allies.
Obama was in the Philippines yesterday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and international economic summit (Apec), where terrorism and maritime disputes were expected to overshadow trade discussions.
He spoke onboard the Philippine Navy’s flagship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, docked off Manila Bay, just across from the main venue of the summit.
As part of the aid, to be given over the next two years, the US would “transfer two additional ships to the Philippine Navy” – a research vessel to help map its territorial waters and another US coast guard cutter.
“This is part of our larger plan to increase maritime security assistance to our allies and partners across the region,” Obama said.
Obama visited the ship amid an escalating row over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely as its sovereign territory.
The US military has made two high-profile sail-bys in the disputed waters, arguing that it was upholding the principle of freedom of navigation.
Beijing, which has been rapidly developing a number of islands and reefs in the sea, has said that the summit, in Manila, is not the forum to discuss the territorial dispute.
The Philippines, which is challenging China’s claims at the UN, agreed not to raise the issue at the summit, but stressed it could not stop other leaders from discussing it.
Aside from the Philippines and China, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim parts of the South China Sea, a key shipping lane that is believed to be rich in mineral and marine resources. – ANA