PENTAGON MEETING - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario at the Pentagon, June 23, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. BaileyUS Ready To Arm Philippines Amid China Tension -- Yahoo News/AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States said it was ready to provide hardware to modernize the military of the Philippines, which vowed to "stand up to any aggressive action" amid rising tension at sea with China.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, on a visit to Washington, said the Philippines hoped to lease equipment to upgrade its aged fleet and called for the allies to revamp their relationship in light of the friction with China.
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My Comment: The Philippines have been more focused on internal strife (the Muslim rebellion in the south) than on external threats and tensions. But with China becoming increasingly aggressive in asserting its naval and land claims in a territory that the Philippines has traditionally regarded as their own .... I expect this focus will now change.
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