US gov't exempted $336M assistance to PH from aid freeze —Amb. Romualdez

The Trump administration has exempted the $336 million assistance for the modernization of Philippine security forces from its foreign aid freeze, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Monday. 

Romualdez replied "yes" when asked by GMA News Online if they have received confirmation from the US government about the aid exemption.

He said the amount is part of $500 million foreign military financing or FMF that was approved by the US Congress last year under the Biden administration.  

He expressed elation with the decision of the US government.

''We are pleased with this development after we worked on getting this exemption. This is another significant sign that our strong partnership and alliance with the United States remains intact with the new Trump administration,'' he said, adding the rest of the funds “will follow.”

A $500-million assistance pledged by the former Biden administration last year to shore up the defense capability of the Philippines, longtime U.S. ally in Asia, has received bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress.

Washington’s assistance is crucial to Manila’s efforts modernize its armed forces – one of Southeast Asia’s weakest – as it seeks to strengthen its maritime capability amid an increasingly aggressive China, which has repeatedly harassed and threatened Philippine vessels and aircraft in the West Philippine Sea.  

Manila refers to the stretch of waters in the South China Sea within Manila’s internationally-recognized exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea.

“Both countries are committed to the treaty alliance and to efforts to further strengthen our defense cooperation and interoperability. We will continue to engage the U.S. government on the importance of our bilateral work in supporting our shared goals and priorities,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement.

Reuters earlier reported that the US government under President Donald Trump has released $5.3 billion foreign previously ordered halted.

In January, the US State Department issued a stop-work order for all existing foreign assistance and paused new aid. This was after Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the Philippines would seek clarification from the US on what programs will be affected.

This as Washington had also placed the staff of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave.

Marco Rubio, immediately after being confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of State,  spoke with Philippine counterpart Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and discussed issues of mutual concern, including China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea.”

America’s top diplomat also reiterated America’s “iron-clad” commitment to the Philippines and told Manalo that China’s behavior “undermines regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law.”

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Romualdez, also held separate talks with Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz at the White House where they expressed commitment “to deepen defense and security cooperation in the years ahead.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said he cannot make a comment yet on the freezing of US foreign assistance, as such pronouncements are not yet clear.

Manila and Washington are looking into the possibility of arranging a meeting between Marcos and Trump in the near future.

Prior to this, Marcos reaffirmed the “strong and lasting” alliance between the two countries, as he said he looks forward to working closely with Trump and his government.—with Michaela del Callar/AOL, GMA Integrated News