The United States has pledged $500 million in military funding to the Philippines, a move designed to bolster ties with Manila amid growing tensions with China in the South China Sea. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Manila with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, announced the funding, describing it as a “once in a generation investment” to help modernize the Philippine armed forces and coast guard.
The announcement comes as part of an Asia-Pacific tour by Blinken and Austin, aimed at strengthening Washington’s network of alliances in the region, particularly in the face of China’s increasingly assertive stance. During their visit, Blinken and Austin met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who has taken a strong stand against Chinese actions in the South China Sea, before holding talks with their Philippine counterparts.
The recent high-level US visit follows a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waterway, raising concerns that Washington could be drawn into a conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila. The $500 million funding package is part of a larger $2 billion commitment in foreign military financing approved by the US in April, aimed at modernizing the Philippine armed forces, one of the weakest in Asia, and strengthening its coast guard.
The Philippines’ strategic location near the hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, makes it a key partner for the United States in the event of a regional conflict. The increased US support for the Philippines’ military capabilities underscores the growing strategic importance of the region and Washington’s commitment to counterbalancing China’s influence.
