US, Philippines agree to complete road map for security assistance

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducts a joint press availability at the State Department with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, and Philippine Defense Chief Carlito Galvez Jr., in Washington, U.S., April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Top defense and diplomatic officials of the United States and Philippines agreed on Tuesday to complete a road map in coming months for the delivery of U.S. defense assistance to the Southeast Asian nation over the next five to 10 years.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the long-time allies, who share concerns about an increasingly assertive China, discussed delivery of "priority defense platforms", in a move that prompted China to express concern.