Hegseth's PH visit to help in AFP modernization —Amb. Romualdez

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Sunday that the scheduled visit of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to the Philippines this week will help boost the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to Romualdez, Hegseth is set to meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. once he arrives in the Philippines.

He also pointed out that this visit shows how important the defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States is.

“Importante rin itong sitwasyon natin na…nasa radar screen tayo ng US ngayon, so we want to take advantage. Kasi we have a role to play in the defense strategy of the US at saka ‘yung ating mga ibang allies kagaya ng Japan at Australia,” the ambassador said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(It's also important that we take advantage of our situation now that we’re on the radar screen of the US. Because we have a role to play in the defense strategy of the US, as well as our other allies like Japan and Australia.)

“We are positioning ourselves na it will take advantage that ang ating Armed Forces ay ma-modernize at saka at the same time, the attention that’s being given to us, lagi kong sinasabi, kailangan tulungan rin ninyo kami sa economy namin. Kailangan malakas ‘yung aming ekonomiya para pwede kaming makakuha ng resources para makabili ng mga equipment or mga armas na kailangan natin for any eventuality na may conflict diyan sa Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

(We are positioning ourselves that we will take advantage of it to make our Armed Forces modernized. At the same time, with the attention that’s being given to us, we also ask them to help us with our economy. Our economy needs to be strong so we can get the resources to buy equipment or weapons that we need for any eventuality that there is a conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.)

The US Defense Department said in an advisory that Hegseth's visit aims to "drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific."

In the Philippines, Hegseth is also expected to “advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with U.S. and Philippine forces.”

To recall, the Trump administration had exempted the $336-million assistance for the modernization of Philippine security forces from its foreign aid freeze.

With this, the AFP said that some projects under the modernization program will continue.

Washington’s assistance is crucial to Manila’s efforts to modernize its armed forces 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.

Marcos-Trump meeting

Romualdez further said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may also visit the country soon, before Marcos gets invited to go to the US to meet with President Donald Trump.

As of the moment, there is no definite date yet for the anticipated meeting of the two officials.

“We are looking at the possibility on the dates, dahil ang nangyayari ngayon dito sa Washington DC, syempre ‘yung administrasyon ni Trump ay naka-concentrate ngayon sa Ukraine-Russia peace talks at saka ‘yung sa Middle East,” the ambassador said.

(We are looking at the possibility regarding the dates. Right now here in Washington DC, the Trump administration is concentrating on the Ukraine-Russia peace talks and the situation in the Middle East.) —KG, GMA Integrated News