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Philippines & US relations

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Philippines: US Lifts Restrictions On Military Aid. MANILA — The United States has lifted restrictions on a small portion of its military assistance to the Philippines that was withheld over human rights concerns, the foreign minister said Thursday.

Philippines: US Lifts Restrictions On Military Aid

The gesture affects about $15 million dollars that have been withheld over the last five years, a fraction of Washington's total military assistance to the South East Asian island. Albert del Rosario told reporters that the aid restriction had been lifted "sometime last year," but did not explain why it had been lifted. A day earlier, US Assistant Defense Secretary David Shear said that Washington had provided $300 million in military-related assistance since 2001 and would provide another $40 million in 2015 as part of America's support to modernize the poorly-equipped Philippine military, which is one of the weakest in the region. Read or Share this story: Will American Troops Return to Philippine Bases? When Typhoon Haiyan cut a devastating swathe of destruction through the central Philippines last November, the U.S. military was among the first to respond.

Will American Troops Return to Philippine Bases?

In a matter of weeks and days, the United States delivered nearly 1,000 personnel, 50 ships and aircraft, and tens of millions of dollars of aid to the hardest hit areas. The relief effort was swift and substantial, but so too were the political maneuverings that followed. Obama may cancel trip to Phl. MANILA, Philippines - The reported shutdown of the US government owing to a budget stalemate in Congress might affect the scheduled visit of President Barack Obama to Manila next week, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. said yesterday.

Obama may cancel trip to Phl

Cuisia told radio station dzBB there is a possibility that Obama might put off foreign trips until the deadlock is resolved. Obama is set to visit the Philippines on Oct. 11 and 12. “I hope Obama’s visit to the Philippines will not be affected by the shutdown, but we can’t be sure of that. 1976STATE196878_b.

US position over the Philippines' position over the Spratley isl

USAID Dollars to Results (Pilot Project) - Pale Moon. U.S. Military in the Philippines: What do Philippine Citizens Really Think? No sooner did I warn in last week’s blog on my way to Washington, D.C., that there is “a danger that U.S.

U.S. Military in the Philippines: What do Philippine Citizens Really Think?

Phl gov't denies US troops conduct air strikes - Home. Over 8,000 PH, US troops to join Balikatan 2013. ByFrances MangosingINQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines – Over 8,000 Philippine and American troops will participate in this year’s Balikatan military exercises, which will be held from April 5 to 17.

Over 8,000 PH, US troops to join Balikatan 2013

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said 30 aircraft and three vessels from both US and Philippine militaries are set to be deployed to support the joint exercises. Of the 30 aircraft, 20 will come from the US military, 14 of which have already arrived in Clark Air Base, Pampanga last Monday while the rest will start to arrive consecutively on Wednesday until April 8. The air assets will be used for joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR)-focused military training in Central Luzon and will also provide air logistics support and services to the participating troops of both countries. Nine aircraft from the Philippine Air Force will be deployed, while the Philippine Navy will deploy one of its Highlanders and two vessels. Follow Us Recent Stories: Factual errors?

Phl, US to hold joint naval exercise in South China Sea. Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap named US Embassy adviser - Nation. U.S. ambassador recants 'sex tourists' remarks. The Philippine government said on Sunday that a statement made by U.S.

U.S. ambassador recants 'sex tourists' remarks

Ambassador Harry Thomas on the alleged number of sex tourists coming to the Philippines, which he later recanted, would not hurt long-standing Philippines- U.S. relations. "Definitely not," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said when asked whether Thomas's statement would in any way hinder ties between the Philippines and the United States. Lacierda said the Philippines "in fact thanked the ambassador for his frank statement, his statement of regret and apology when he learned that he could not back up his statement. " "He immediately apologized to (Foreign Affairs) Secretary ( Albert) del Rosario and (Justice) Secretary Leila de Lima. US envoy calls Philippines ‘strategic treaty ally’ ByNorman BordadoraPhilippine Daily Inquirer US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

US envoy calls Philippines ‘strategic treaty ally’

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO. U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to the Philippines. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R), beside Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario (L), signs a declaration marking the 60 years since the United States signed a security treaty with the Philippines on board the USS Fitzgerald, a US Navy destroyer, docked at the Manila bay on November 16, 2011.

U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to the Philippines

Back in August, the Philippine Navy christened its newest flagship, the 115-meter Gregorio del Pilar, a refurbished former U.S. U.S. Reaffirms Defense of Philippines in Standoff With China. “We oppose the threat or use of force by any party to advance its claim,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said after the meeting Monday in Washington.

U.S. Reaffirms Defense of Philippines in Standoff With China

“And we will remain in close contact with our ally, the Philippines.” Mrs. Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met with their Philippine counterparts, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. They discussed broadening their military alliance as well as expanding economic and cultural ties, though no specific new initiatives were announced. USS Guardian Foundering Tubbataha Reef. The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines. MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas Pilipinas tries to get back at Al Wahda of Syria as they dispute the first finals slot in the 22nd Dubai Invitational basketball tournament at the Al Ahli Indoor Stadium today.

The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines

Riding the crest of a big 86-69 romp over Hoops of Lebanon in Thursday’s quarterfinals, the Nationals aim to avenge their heartbreaking 89-91 loss to the Al Wahda squad in the elims and reach the championship round for the first time for Team Phl. “The morale is high after our big quarterfinal win,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim. “Our motivation is to make it to the finals, which has never been done by any Philippine team sent here. “Somehow, the team also wants to get back at Al Wahda, which beat us in a close game in the group stages,” he added.

Philippines officially bidding to join TPP, seeks US support. US, Philippines to hold war games amid tension in South China Sea. The United States and the Philippines are set to hold naval exercise amid heightened tension in Western Philippine Sea following allegations of intrusion by Chinese Naval personnel in the Philippine-occupied area of the disputed Spratly Islands. Philippine military authorities said though the the joint naval exercise has nothing to do with the reported Chinese incursions in Philippine territories, according to Armed Forces spokesman Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez. Philstar.com reports, “It has been programmed since last year,” Rodriguez added. There has been no announcement yet of the specific location of the military exercises but Navforwest operates mainly in the Sulu Sea and nearby waters. Earlier the Philippines said it has documented at least six intrusions by China's naval boats into Philippine sea lanes. China denied the allegations and said they were based on rumors.

Read more... RP-US naval exercises in Palawan. By AARON B. RECUENCO. Michael Ray again fails to stop extradition. U.S. apologizes for upside-down display of Philippine flag - latimes.com. Reporting from Los Angeles — Even in the world of diplomacy, there are times when language has to be clear and unmistakable – like after a flag is mistakenly displayed in a way to imply there is a state of war.