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Obama commits to Philippine maritime security

The Philippines would be the No. 1 recipient of U.S. maritime security assistance, receiving $79 million.

By Elizabeth Shim
U.S. President Barack Obama, shown here at the White House last week, was in the Philippines on Tuesday for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Pool Photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI
U.S. President Barack Obama, shown here at the White House last week, was in the Philippines on Tuesday for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Pool Photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI | License Photo

MANILA, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama said the United States is committed to an "unbreakable alliance" with the Philippines, underscoring a U.S. mission to address a maritime dispute that began with China's land reclamation activities in the South China Sea.

Obama, who was in the Philippines for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, made a point of reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Manila's security by boarding a Philippine warship and delivering a speech on the 70-year alliance.

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"We have a treaty obligation, an ironclad commitment to the defense of our ally, the Philippines. You can count on the United States," Obama said Tuesday.

The president's remarks come at a time when Washington is providing support to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian claimants to the disputed Spratlys by helping the countries "develop the necessary infrastructure and logistical support," according to a statement the White House released Tuesday.

The United States has committed $119 million in fiscal year 2015, which ran from Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30, 2015, toward developing Southeast Asian maritime capabilities, and is looking to add $140 million in assistance during fiscal year 2016.

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The Philippines would be the No. 1 recipient of the assistance, receiving $79 million. The U.S. support would be centered on building a training, logistical base for expanding the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and Air Forces' capacity to undertake maritime operations.

On Tuesday, Obama said the United States plans to transfer two more ships to the Philippine Navy: a research vessel to help map territorial waters and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, to conduct long-endurance patrols.

The United States has provided ongoing support for the Philippines' defense capabilities.

The Philippine warship Obama boarded Tuesday is a former U.S. Coast Guard vessel and is used by the Philippines to patrol the South China Sea.

While there is no dispute between Manila and Washington that China's activities in the South China Sea are provocative, Beijing took a different approach Tuesday.

RT reported Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the Chinese government has the "right and the ability to recover the islands and reefs illegally occupied by neighboring countries."

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