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              US Welcomes Philippines Court Ruling on Defense Pact

   by Nike Ching

   Top U.S. officials reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" security
   commitment to Manila on Tuesday, applauding a ruling by the Philippine
   Supreme Court to uphold a bilateral defense agreement with the U.S.,
   which could strengthen maritime security cooperation.

   "We welcome the Philippine Supreme Court's decision that the Enhanced
   Defense Cooperation Agreement is consistent with the Philippine
   constitution," said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. "We look
   forward to implementing this accord, which will increase the
   interoperability of our armed forces and contribute to modernization
   and improve our joint capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies."

   Kerry and Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Filipino Secretary of
   Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire
   Gazmin in Washington for the second so-called "two-plus-two" talks on
   revitalizing the alliance between the two countries.

   "For us, that means very soon -- and we're working on this right now --
   deciding together how we want to use that opportunity to strengthen our
   maritime security capabilities and our role in keeping a peaceful
   region, a region without divisions and without tensions, and a region
   where everyone has freedom to carry out their affairs, including
   commerce, in their own way," Carter said.

   South China Sea tensions

   The first U.S.-Philippines defense and foreign affairs ministerial
   talks were held in 2012.

   The bilateral U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
   was signed in 2014, but faced legal challenges from groups opposing a
   U.S. military presence.

   The Philippine High Court's ruling will bolster U.S. efforts to
   reassert its presence in Asia. Rosario said the ruling "opens up new
   opportunities to further deepen this enduring alliance."

   It comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea.
   Recent Chinese test flights on Fiery Cross Reef have drawn protests
   from countries including the Philippines.

   "There are many aspects to that security cooperation and that joint
   umbrella, if you like," Carter said. "One of those is freedom of
   navigation and freedom of the commons. The United States has indicated
   our intention to fly, sail and operate wherever international law
   allows, whether it be the South China Sea or anywhere else around the
   world."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/united-states-philippines-supreme-cou
   rt-ruling-defense-pact/3142182.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/united-states-philippines-supreme-court-ruling-defense-pact/3142182.html