US vows to defend Philippines against IS

US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien was joined by Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin at a ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.

Manila: US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien was in Manila on Monday, where he welcomed continued cooperation on countering the Islamic State group (IS) and backed the Philippines over disputes in the South China Sea.

O'Brien was joined by Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin as he represented US President Donald Trump at a ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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Trump pledged to provide the 18 million US dollars worth of missiles in a phone conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in April.

The Philippines announced last month that it would resume oil and gas explorations in or near the Reed Bank, which lies off the country's western coast but is also contested by China.

O'Brien also expressed hope for the continuance of a key security agreement that allows American forces to train in large-scale combat exercises in the Philippines.

Duterte moved to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US early this year but later delayed the effectivity of his decision to next year, a move welcomed by O'Brien.

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The US assistance projects normalcy in Washington's foreign relations as Trump worked to challenge the results of the November 3 presidential election, claiming he was a victim of fraud.

Duterte had asked Filipino Americans to vote for Trump but congratulated Joe Biden, through his spokesperson, for winning the election.

AP