Ph-US relations remain ‘very strong and intact’–AFP
The military relations between the Philippines and the United States remain “very strong and intact,” the Philippine Navy said Tuesday after President Trump paused all military aid to Ukraine following his clash with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House.
“So far as the Philippines is concerned, our people-to-people relationship, our military-to-military, social-cultural exchanges, and broad other activities, a range of other activities between the US and the Philippines are very strong and intact,” Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said at a press briefing in Quezon City.
“Our interaction with the United States across a broad range of activities, not only the military dimension but even social-cultural, economic, diplomatic, are very strong and intact,” Trinidad added.
Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine after a heated argument between him and Zelenskyy at the Oval Office.
Zelenskyy left the White House without signing a mineral deal in exchange for additional US military support for Ukraine.
On Monday, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said he was optimistic that Washington’s support from Manila would continue.
“I think all of that will remain. I am confident that it will,” Romualdez said when asked whether defense agreements and military aid would continue under the Trump administration.
But the envoy added: “We have to … be ready for that type of situation.”
