MANILA, Philippines- Nakatakdang talakayin ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos ang mga pamamaraan para “enhancing our bilateral and multilateral partnerships further.”
“US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to arrive in the Philippines next week after his trips to Hawaii and Guam,” ayon sa US Embassy.
“All I can say is we will talk about enhancing our bilateral and multilateral partnerships further, greater interoperability,” ang sinabi naman ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, ilang araw bago ang nakatakdang pagbisita sa Pilipinas ng kanyang American counterpart.
“Of course, we also have to take a look at future programs that both governments will enter into,” ayon pa rin sa Kalihim.
Hindi naman nagbigay ng direktang tumugon si Teodoro kung interesado ang Washington na dagdagan ang bilang ng Philippine bases na maaaring i-access nito, o kung ang talakayan ay iikot sa pagpoposisyon ng US Typhon missiles, itinuturing na ‘pain point’ para sa Tsina.
“The content? Let’s wait for the meeting,” pahayag ng opisyal.
“All I can say is we will talk about our existing partnerships, bilaterally and multilaterally and how to move it further,” giit pa niya.
Nauna rito, sinabi ng US Department of Defense na si Hegseth “will travel to the Philippines to advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with U.S. and Philippine forces.”
“Secretary Hegseth’s trip comes as the United States builds on unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security,” ang nakasaad sa kalatas.
Ang biyahe ni Hegseth sa Pilipinas sa susunod na linggo ay kauna-unahang biyahe nito bilang defense chief ng administrasyon ni US President Donald Trump. Kris Jose
