Ely Ratner, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, highlighted the significance of the U.S.-Philippines alliance during his address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ South China Sea Conference yesterday. Ratner emphasized that the alliance is pivotal to stability and progress in the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting “truly transformative and decisive” changes over the past three years.
Ratner credited the advancements to the collaborative efforts of the U.S. and Philippine presidents. He recalled Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s critical visit to Manila in 2021, which marked a turning point for the alliance, leading to a renewed commitment from both nations.
Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s leadership, the alliance has strengthened significantly. President Joe Biden has met with Marcos multiple times, mirroring Austin’s frequent engagements with his Philippine counterparts. Austin expressed the deep bond between the two nations, stating, “Our two countries are more than allies. We’re family.”
Ratner described the U.S.-Philippines alliance as one of the most vital defense partnerships globally. The agreement for U.S. rotational presence in the Philippines and enhanced interoperability efforts are key components. The U.S. military collaborates closely with the Philippines on force modernization and multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Ratner emphasized U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its lawful rights in the South China Sea. He criticized China’s baseless claims on the Second Thomas Shoal and praised President Marcos for his leadership in upholding international law. Ratner reaffirmed that the U.S. stands firmly with the Philippines, ensuring freedom of navigation and operation under international law.
The past year was transformative for U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, with increased mobility, distribution, resilience, and lethality. The expansion of U.S. rotational access to four new strategic sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) marked a significant milestone. Ratner emphasized ongoing investments in infrastructure at all nine EDCA sites to enhance combined training, exercises, and interoperability, as well as to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.
Looking ahead, Ratner mentioned discussions on concluding a General Security of Military Information Agreement to bolster information sharing and the development of a security sector assistance roadmap for modernizing Philippine forces. The Philippines is actively participating in regional cooperation with Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and others, focusing on greater interoperability and more complex regional exercises.
Ratner concluded by affirming the health and potential of the U.S.-Philippines alliance, poised for continued achievements and contributions to Indo-Pacific stability and progress.–News Desk