The Trump administration plans to deploy more advanced missile systems to the Philippines to help deter the Chinese communist regime’s aggression, following high-level talks between senior officials from both sides in Manila on Feb. 16.
The U.S. Department of State issued a joint statement on Feb. 16 regarding the 12th Philippines–United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, which focused on expanding economic, political, and security engagements and boosting collaboration with regional allies.
Washington and Manila highlighted the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
“Both sides condemned China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities in the South China Sea, recognizing their adverse effects on regional peace and stability and the economies of the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the two countries said in the statement….
