The U.S. will increase its annual military aid package to the Philippines from $30 million to $50 million in fiscal 2014, Reuters reported Wednesday.
Manuel Mogato writes the Philippines is considering acquiring a third Hamilton-class warship to boost naval patrols amid a territorial dispute between the country and China.
“For military financing, it’s an allocation that is worked out by the U.S. Congress, and its usually for acquisition and maintenance,” Albert Del Rosario, the Philippine secretary of foreign affairs, told reporters Wednesday.
However, a Philippine military official told Reuters that the country might delay cutter purchase and use funds for vessel upgrades instead.
The Southeast Asian nation has received $312 million in military assistance and defense equipment from the U.S. since 2002, the report says.
