Blinken, Austin meet Teodoro, Manalo in Philippines for 2+2 meeting

US’ Defense chief Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrive at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for a meeting with Philippines’ Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Foreign Affairs chief Enrique Manalo. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/UQz7tYf5b3

— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) July 30, 2024

United States’ Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Defense chief Lloyd J. Austin III met with Philippines’ Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Foreign Affairs chief Enrique Manalo in Quezon City on Tuesday.

The visiting US officials arrived at Camp Aguinaldo for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue where they are expected to discuss defense and security and economic cooperation.

According to government sources, they are expected to discuss the conclusion before yearend of a key information-sharing pact, called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

This will enable real-time information-sharing and technology cooperation across domains.

"During this year’s 2+2 Dialogue, the four Secretaries are expected to discuss how to further enhance our two countries’ commitment to the PH - U.S. alliance while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity, and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Blinken and Austin's visit to Manila underscores Washington’s high-profile support to its longtime treaty ally at a time of heightened conflicts between China and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, or South China Sea, particularly in the Ayungin Shoal, also known by its international name Second Thomas Shoal, and in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

Protest

Outside Camp Aguinaldo, some progressive groups held a protest action against the visit of the two US officials.

In a statement, Bayan said the US officials are in the Philippines to “expand US military intervention and war mongering in the country and the region.”

“United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are not welcome in the Philippines,” Bayan said.

For Bayan, the aid from the US is “self-serving” because it will be utilized for constructing more US military facilities in the Philippines and procurement of surplus weapons from the US itself. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News