US admiral voices support for Philippines

The head of US forces in the Pacific on Monday reaffirmed the US' commitment to support the Philippines amid continuing maritime disputes between Manila and Beijing.

Admiral Samuel Locklear met Philippine President Benigno Aquino and voiced his support for modernizing the country's armed forces and establishing a minimum credible defense, said Aquino's spokesman, Ramon Carandang.

"This is a reaffirmation that the Mutual Defense Treaty is still in place and still strong. And it is an opportunity for us to find places and missions where we can partner and exercise together in a way that will increase our overall security cooperation and increase security in this critical part of the Asia-Pacific," the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Locklear as saying.