US Pledges $500 Million to Bolster Philippine Military Defenses

Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the funding as a ‘once-in-a-generation investment’ to support the modernization of Filipino forces, coast guard.

Chinese militia ships are seen as Philippine ships conduct a resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, in the South China Sea, on March 5, 2024. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

The U.S. government has vowed to provide $500 million in funding for the Philippines’ military and coast guard as the Southeast Asian nation faces ongoing tensions with China in the hotly contested South China Sea.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the funding at a news conference alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the headquarters of the Philippine Armed Forces at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on July 30.