US to provide $500 million in military funding to Philippines: Video
The United States has announced a $500 million military funding package for the Philippines to enhance the latter's defence capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
This was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Manila with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The $500 million funding will be directed towards modernising the Philippine military and coast guard. This includes upgrading equipment, enhancing training programmes, and improving overall defence infrastructure.
This funding also comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Philippines and China. The South China Sea has been a flashpoint, with China asserting expansive territorial claims that overlap with those of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines in the event of an attack, underscoring the strategic importance of this military aid.
