cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18106722

Washington’s top diplomat and defense chief announced $500 million in new military funding Tuesday to boost the Philippines’ external defense and progress on a proposed military intelligence-sharing pact as both allies renewed their concerns over China’s continuing aggressive actions in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has fortified Manila’s decades-old treaty alliance with Washington as hostilities between Philippine and Chinese forces flared since last year in the disputed South China Sea.

  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    4 months ago

    I’ve got friends with family from the Philippines. Its crazy to think what their neighborhood could do with even a fraction of a $500M aid package. Shame it can only be spent on military and never on quality of life improvements.

    • heyfrancis@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      2·
      4 months ago

      PH can’t put up a fight with China’s war tech. Hopefully this budget can be spended wisely and improve military’s current situation.

      • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        3 months ago

        PH can’t put up a fight with China’s war tech.

        Who is China going to war with? And how many Philippines are going to die from Whooping Cough and fucking Polio long before they do?

        You’ve got a $50B aircraft carrier parked in a harbor where people can’t afford shoes.