Rebooting US-PH communications

[adroth]

Trump, Duterte may meet in PH in November - official
Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 19 2017 03:22 PM | Updated as of Apr 19 2017 06:37 PM

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/19/17/trump-duterte-may-meet-in-ph-in-november-official

United States President Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte. Composite
MANILA – United States President Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte may finally meet in November this year, an official said Wednesday.
Ambassador Marciano Paynor, who is in charge of organizing the Philippines’ preparations for its hosting and chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, said Trump already confirmed to Duterte his attendance during their phone call.

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[adroth]

Donald Trump invites Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to White House
By David Caplan
Apr 30, 2017, 12:57 AM ET

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-invites-philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-white/story?id=47112097

President Donald Trump has invited Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to the White House "to discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance," according to a White House readout of the leaders' phone call on Saturday.

"It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding regional security, including the threat posed by North Korea," said the readout. "They also discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world."

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[adroth]

Rappler transcript of conversation between Trump and Duterte after the ASEAN summit. Trump may visit the Philippines in November.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3729123-POTUS-RD-Doc.html#document/p1

[adroth]

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Reaffirms Commitment to Philippines, Strong Defense Ties with Philippine Leaders
Home | News & Events | U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Reaffirms Commitment to Philippines, Strong Defense Ties with Philippine Leaders

https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-pacific-fleet-commander-reaffirms-commitment-to-philippines/

Manila, June 14, 2017 — Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited the Republic of the Philippines June 11-14 to reaffirm the U.S. Navy’s strong partnership and ties with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

During his visit to the Philippines, Swift met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año, and Philippine Navy Flag Officer in-Command Vice Adm. Ronald J.S. Mercado. Swift stressed the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s commitment to addressing shared regional security concerns including counterterrorism and piracy, while highlighting the strong defense ties between the U.S. and the Philippines.

“The Philippine Navy is a valued and enduring ally of the U.S. Navy and a close partner of the Pacific Fleet,” said Swift. “I’m very pleased to have had the opportunity to visit with senior government and military leaders here in Manila. We continue to build on the strong relationship we have and to reaffirm our commitment to working together to face shared challenges.”

The long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region for more than 70 years. As part of the security partnership, the United States supports the Philippines in its efforts to strengthen national defense, and improve its ability to respond to natural disasters, terror threats, piracy, and other transnational crimes.

[adroth]

No word on when these arrived. But Gazmin declared that he had no missiles . . . connect the dots.

One of the best shots yet. Posted on the forum's FB extension

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpdefense/permalink/1365456486873528/

[adroth]

US officials looking to ‘restore’ friendship bonds with PHL gov’t
Posted on August 04, 2017

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=us-officials-looking-to-restore-friendship-bonds-with-phl-govt&id=149322

UNITED STATES officials are looking to smoothen ties with the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte as they visit Manila this week for a series of meetings during the ASEAN Regional Forum to be attended by other high-level officials within the Asia Pacific region.

“We’re really looking forward to the trip to Manila, and I think part of the reason why we’re looking forward to it -- not just the multilateral diplomacy, but there will be a chance for -- to have a very good, robust bilateral program with the Philippines while we’re there on the margins of the ministerial meetings,” said Susan A. Thornton, acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, during a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

“We are looking forward to being able to furnish the relationship and restore those bonds of friendship,” said Ms. Thornton.

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Moreover, Ms. Thornton assured that the issue on the disputed South China Sea will “be a focus of discussion.”

“The US will continue to press for language that makes it clear that we are dedicated to protecting and defending the freedom of navigation and overflight in South China Sea,” she said.

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[adroth]

Duterte tells US Secretary of State Tillerson: I am your humble friend
Published August 07, 2017 06:10:01 PM
Updated August 07, 2017 06:30:00 PM

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/620967/duterte-tells-us-secretary-of-state-tillerson-i-am-your-humble-friend/story/?amp

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday welcomed US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Malacañang.

“I am your humble friend in Southeast Asia,” Duterte told Tillerson in his opening statement.

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[adroth]

U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Visits the Philippines

https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-marine-corps-commandant-visits-philippines/

Manila, August 11, 2017 — The Commandant of the United States Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller visited the Philippines August 9 to 11 to meet with Philippine military and U.S. Embassy leadership to discuss matters of partnership and future engagements.

During his visit, he met with Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gen. Eduardo Año, Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and U.S. Marines on assignment at the Embassy in Manila.

The General’s meetings focused on upcoming bi-lateral engagements in the country, regional security, and the future of diplomacy and interoperability between our two nations.

At a wreath-laying ceremony at the PMC Heroes Memorial on August 10, he honored the sacrifice of the brave Philippine Marines who have died fighting in Marawi.

“These Marines were our friends, our partners and our allies, so on behalf of the entire U.S. Marine Corps, I wanted to honor their sacrifice,” Gen. Neller said.

[adroth]

Duterte warms to US over help in fighting ISIS
Published September 29, 2017 4:03pm

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/627695/duterte-warms-to-us-over-help-in-fighting-isis/story/?utm_source=GMANews&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=news

President Rodrigo Duterte, a fierce critic of the United States, is now singing Washington's praises for helping him fight pro-Islamic State group militants.

"There are so many factors involved. But I'd rather be friendly to them now," Duterte told residents of the central town of Balangiga during a visit, according to an official transcript released Friday.

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"I would not say that they were our saviors, but they are our allies and they helped us. And even today, they have provided the crucial equipment to our soldiers in Marawi to fight the terrorists," Duterte said Thursday.

"So without their help also, we would be having a hard time," he said. "So we thank you."

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Duterte explained that at the time, he was angry at then-US president Barack Obama for criticizing his centerpiece war on drugs, which has since seen thousands killed in police operations and suspected vigilante activities.

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"But these are all water under the bridge," Duterte said, citing the US alliance against Japan's occupation army during World War II.

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[adroth]

SD arrives in the Philippines
CLARK, PHILIPPINES
10.23.2017
Photo by Sgt. Amber Smith
Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs   

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/3886927/sd-arrives-philippines#.We0-_tvKpCI.facebook

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is greeted after arriving in Clark, Philippines on Oct. 23, 2017. Mattis is meeting with many allies and partners from the region during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers Meeting to discuss security challenges and shared interests. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

[horge]

CLARK, Philippines — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, paving the way for a visit next month by
President Donald Trump, congratulated the Philippine army for its successes against militants in
the southern city of Marawi.

The U.S. and the Philippines are decades-old treaty allies, but the relationship has been rocky in
recent years. A point of contention under President Barack Obama was government-sanctioned
killings as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drug suspects.

President Donald Trump has praised Duterte’s attacks on drug suspects.

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Mattis praised the Philippine military for its counterterrorism efforts in Marawi, which had been
controlled by Islamic militants.

“The Philippine military has sent a very necessary message to the terrorists,” Mattis said.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/mattis-praises-philippines-progress-against-militants/2017/10/22/5669968e-b7a2-11e7-9b93-b97043e57a22_story.html?utm_term=.56b48567a7ee

[adroth]

Trump to extend stay in Philippines for East Asia Summit
Agence France-Presse
Posted at Nov 03 2017 10:34 PM

http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/11/03/17/trump-to-extend-stay-in-philippines-for-east-asia-summit

U.S. President Donald Trump departed the United States on Friday, beginning an almost two week trip to Asia that will take in five countries.

Trump left Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington, bound for Hawaii. From there he will travel on to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

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Trump also used his departure to announce that he has decided at the last minute to extend his stay un Asia, after criticism that he was expected to miss an East Asia regional summit.

"We're actually staying an extra day in the Philippines," Trump said on departure Friday, a decision that was confirmed by senior White House officials.

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[adroth]

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/12/17/look-donald-trump-in-barong



MANILA - US President Donald Trump wore a barong when he attended Sunday's gala dinner for the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related meetings.
Trump was greeted by President Rodrigo Duterte and his partner Honeylet Avanceña at the red carpet of the event held at the SMX Convention Center.


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https://www.rappler.com/nation/188210-asean-summit-2017-philippines-duterte-trump-photo



MANILA, Philippines – Wearing the native Filipino barong, United States President Donald Trump attended the gala dinner of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits on Sunday, November 12.

Trump posed for a photo with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his partner, Honeylet Avanceña.

[adroth]

U.S. Military Escalates War Efforts in the Philippines
Counterterrorism mission initiated after Duterte government requested aid during battle to oust insurgents from Marawi; improving ties
       
By Jessica Donati and Gordon Lubold
Jan. 19, 2018 5:30 a.m. ET

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/u-s-military-escalates-war-efforts-in-the-philippines-1516357801?__twitter_impression=true

WASHINGTON—The U.S. military has launched a new counterterrorism mission in the Philippines, making operations there eligible for the same funding used to finance the long-running wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, military officials said.

The decision by the Trump administration to elevate the U.S. mission to an Overseas Contingency Operation, or OCO, was made last September in response to a Philippines government request for more support to fight extremist groups, officials said. The U.S.-backed Philippine military in October ousted Islamic State-affiliated insurgents from a city on the southern island of Mindanao after a five-month battle, but faces an enormous rebuilding task.

Between 200 and 300 American troops are currently serving in advisory roles in the country and officials said that number is likely to remain unchanged for now. In addition to advisory troops, technical support and equipment, the mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance by drone.

[Herbie]

How can DND, AFP take advantage of this?