1 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,151 Good afternoon everyone and thank you 2 00:00:05,151 --> 00:00:07,373 for being here today . It's my pleasure 3 00:00:07,373 --> 00:00:09,596 to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd 4 00:00:09,596 --> 00:00:11,151 Austin the third and senior 5 00:00:11,151 --> 00:00:13,430 undersecretary Jose Faustino , junior 6 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,470 officer in charge . Republic of the 7 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:17,424 Philippines Department of National 8 00:00:17,424 --> 00:00:19,369 Defense in a moment . They'll both 9 00:00:19,369 --> 00:00:21,536 deliver opening remarks and then we'll 10 00:00:21,536 --> 00:00:23,591 have time for a few questions . I'll 11 00:00:23,591 --> 00:00:25,647 moderate those questions and call on 12 00:00:25,647 --> 00:00:27,702 each journalist . Secretary Austin . 13 00:00:27,702 --> 00:00:29,924 Well , good afternoon everyone , Senior 14 00:00:29,924 --> 00:00:32,810 undersecretary Faustino , I'm delighted 15 00:00:32,810 --> 00:00:35,230 to be able to host you here in Hawaii 16 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,480 and congratulations again on your role 17 00:00:38,480 --> 00:00:40,340 as the leader of the Philippine 18 00:00:40,340 --> 00:00:43,710 Department of National Defense . You've 19 00:00:43,710 --> 00:00:45,766 had an impressive career leading the 20 00:00:45,766 --> 00:00:47,821 Philippine armed forces and I'm very 21 00:00:47,821 --> 00:00:49,877 much looking forward to working with 22 00:00:49,877 --> 00:00:51,360 you in your new role . 23 00:00:53,870 --> 00:00:56,070 This is a terrible time for so many 24 00:00:56,070 --> 00:00:59,430 people living in florida and elsewhere 25 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:03,370 in harm's way from Hurricane Ian . And 26 00:01:03,370 --> 00:01:05,703 that includes many members of our D . O . 27 00:01:05,703 --> 00:01:08,010 D . Community , including service 28 00:01:08,010 --> 00:01:10,850 members and their families whose lives 29 00:01:10,850 --> 00:01:14,120 have been terribly disrupted . The 30 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,060 Department is working closely to 31 00:01:16,060 --> 00:01:18,760 support fema . The National Guard in 32 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,080 north com to provide urgently needed 33 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:25,030 support for the communities in the path 34 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:28,640 of the destruction . I lived in florida 35 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,600 for many years myself and we stand 36 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:35,350 together with everyone there now senior 37 00:01:35,350 --> 00:01:37,610 undersecretary Faustino let me also 38 00:01:37,610 --> 00:01:40,470 convey my condolences on behalf of the 39 00:01:40,470 --> 00:01:43,150 Department of Defense for all of your 40 00:01:43,150 --> 00:01:45,750 fellow citizens who were also hit hard 41 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:48,920 by the recent super typhoon that struck 42 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:49,960 the Philippines . 43 00:01:52,630 --> 00:01:54,810 Now , the Philippines has long been an 44 00:01:54,810 --> 00:01:56,890 invaluable friend and ally to the 45 00:01:56,890 --> 00:01:59,250 United States . In fact , the 46 00:01:59,250 --> 00:02:02,460 Philippines is our oldest treaty ally 47 00:02:02,470 --> 00:02:05,120 in the indo pacific region and the 48 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,630 United States remains unwavering in our 49 00:02:07,630 --> 00:02:10,520 support for a strong and independent 50 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:12,298 Philippines that can defend its 51 00:02:12,298 --> 00:02:15,100 sovereignty , ensure prosperity for its 52 00:02:15,100 --> 00:02:18,160 people and strengthen security in the 53 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,390 region . Our countries share a vision 54 00:02:21,390 --> 00:02:24,910 of an open , secure and prosperous indo 55 00:02:24,910 --> 00:02:27,950 pacific , free from coercion or 56 00:02:27,950 --> 00:02:31,780 bullying . Now to ensure we're working 57 00:02:31,780 --> 00:02:34,070 together to build that vision . The 58 00:02:34,070 --> 00:02:36,070 Department of Defense conducts more 59 00:02:36,070 --> 00:02:39,360 than 300 bilateral engagements annually 60 00:02:39,370 --> 00:02:41,130 with the armed forces of the 61 00:02:41,130 --> 00:02:44,210 Philippines and that can mean large 62 00:02:44,220 --> 00:02:47,170 major training exercises such as Bella 63 00:02:47,170 --> 00:02:50,730 Catan in april or it can mean ship 64 00:02:50,730 --> 00:02:53,520 visits or exchanges among our experts 65 00:02:53,530 --> 00:02:56,420 on key issues like cyber security . 66 00:02:57,540 --> 00:03:01,060 This cooperation goes on every day and 67 00:03:01,060 --> 00:03:03,020 it supports our alliance and our 68 00:03:03,030 --> 00:03:05,200 obligations under the mutual defense 69 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,570 treaty are us and Philippines . 70 00:03:08,570 --> 00:03:11,700 Visiting forces agreement allows us to 71 00:03:11,700 --> 00:03:15,230 continue working closely together and 72 00:03:15,230 --> 00:03:17,460 it lets us respond quickly to the two 73 00:03:17,460 --> 00:03:21,160 disasters and crisis . So our 74 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,030 commitment to this alliance is ironclad 75 00:03:24,550 --> 00:03:26,670 and it's rooted in more than just 76 00:03:26,670 --> 00:03:30,340 common interest . It's rooted in shared 77 00:03:30,350 --> 00:03:33,860 democratic values as well as 78 00:03:33,870 --> 00:03:37,430 in profound bonds between our peoples . 79 00:03:38,420 --> 00:03:40,031 And this includes the strong 80 00:03:40,031 --> 00:03:41,920 friendships between our country's 81 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,210 uniform personnel and our veteran 82 00:03:45,220 --> 00:03:48,610 communities , in our proud diaspora 83 00:03:48,610 --> 00:03:51,530 communities immeasurably strengthen our 84 00:03:51,530 --> 00:03:54,080 too proud democracies and our 85 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:57,860 partnership . So during today's meeting , 86 00:03:57,870 --> 00:04:00,050 senior undersecretary Faustino and I 87 00:04:00,050 --> 00:04:03,710 discuss ways that we can deepen our 88 00:04:03,710 --> 00:04:07,300 already robust cooperation . We 89 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:09,360 discussed several priority areas for 90 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,340 the alliance , including strengthening 91 00:04:12,350 --> 00:04:14,461 our mutual defense treaty commitments 92 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,170 in enhancing maritime cooperation in 93 00:04:19,170 --> 00:04:21,337 building on our mutual defense posture 94 00:04:21,337 --> 00:04:24,480 and improving interoperability and 95 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,720 information sharing . By deepening our 96 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,670 cooperation and modernizing our 97 00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:32,450 alliance . We can help secure the 98 00:04:32,450 --> 00:04:36,180 Philippines future tackle regional 99 00:04:36,180 --> 00:04:39,530 challenges and promote peace and 100 00:04:39,540 --> 00:04:43,520 security in the indo pacific and so 101 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:45,850 I'm proud to stand shoulder to shoulder 102 00:04:45,850 --> 00:04:48,650 with the Philippines to bring our 103 00:04:48,650 --> 00:04:52,240 countries even closer together and to 104 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,830 defend our shared values and to 105 00:04:55,830 --> 00:04:57,600 strengthen the rules based 106 00:04:57,610 --> 00:04:59,890 international order that makes the 107 00:04:59,890 --> 00:05:02,750 region safer and more prosperous . 108 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:07,130 So undersecretary Faustino thanks again 109 00:05:07,130 --> 00:05:09,930 for your leadership and partnership and 110 00:05:09,930 --> 00:05:12,041 now I'll turn it over to you for your 111 00:05:12,041 --> 00:05:14,380 remarks . Thank you Secretary Austin . 112 00:05:16,170 --> 00:05:18,440 Good afternoon to everyone . The 113 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,470 Philippines and the United States have 114 00:05:21,470 --> 00:05:24,720 a shared history spanning more than 70 115 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,980 years as friends , partners and allies . 116 00:05:27,990 --> 00:05:30,920 In those years our cooperation in 117 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,780 political , economic and social 118 00:05:33,780 --> 00:05:37,430 cultural relations has expanded and our 119 00:05:37,430 --> 00:05:39,810 ties including that between our defense 120 00:05:39,810 --> 00:05:42,390 establishments have continued to grow 121 00:05:42,390 --> 00:05:45,480 stronger . The Philippines defense and 122 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,480 security engagement with the United 123 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,470 States remains a key pillar of 124 00:05:50,470 --> 00:05:53,180 Philippines , us bilateral relations 125 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:54,847 and we appreciate the U . S . 126 00:05:54,847 --> 00:05:56,958 Government's willingness to work with 127 00:05:56,958 --> 00:05:59,650 the Philippine government as an equal 128 00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:02,900 sovereign partner . Our two countries 129 00:06:02,900 --> 00:06:05,067 are working together to reach a common 130 00:06:05,067 --> 00:06:07,770 understanding of the importance of our 131 00:06:07,770 --> 00:06:10,400 defense alliance and what it means to 132 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:12,567 recognize each other as equal partners 133 00:06:12,567 --> 00:06:15,310 in advancing our respective countries 134 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:17,870 interests and in promoting peace and 135 00:06:17,870 --> 00:06:20,930 prosperity in the region . This 136 00:06:20,940 --> 00:06:23,760 meeting comes at the culmination of the 137 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,290 planning cycle of our bilateral defense 138 00:06:26,290 --> 00:06:29,240 activities for next year ? The 139 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:30,962 bilateral meeting we held this 140 00:06:30,962 --> 00:06:33,440 afternoon was a welcome opportunity to 141 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,390 discuss the way ahead for the 142 00:06:35,390 --> 00:06:38,480 Philippines US alliance based on the 143 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:40,960 current priorities of our respective 144 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,530 administrations . As discussed during 145 00:06:43,530 --> 00:06:45,752 the recent meeting between Philippine , 146 00:06:45,752 --> 00:06:47,752 President Ferdinand Ramadi's market 147 00:06:47,752 --> 00:06:50,080 junior and U . S . President joseph R . 148 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,580 Biden in new york . Our meeting 149 00:06:52,580 --> 00:06:55,030 highlighted the importance of the 150 00:06:55,030 --> 00:06:57,252 bilateral defense relations between the 151 00:06:57,252 --> 00:06:59,474 Philippines and the U . S . And we were 152 00:06:59,474 --> 00:07:01,500 able to discuss forward looking , 153 00:07:01,510 --> 00:07:04,480 practical and tangible ways on how to 154 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,710 empower our partnership through 155 00:07:06,710 --> 00:07:08,766 improving defense cooperation across 156 00:07:08,766 --> 00:07:11,900 various lines of efforts as well as 157 00:07:11,900 --> 00:07:14,370 increasing interoperability and 158 00:07:14,370 --> 00:07:16,370 information sharing between our two 159 00:07:16,370 --> 00:07:18,970 armed forces . With the end view of 160 00:07:18,970 --> 00:07:22,590 further enhancing the credibility of 161 00:07:22,590 --> 00:07:25,920 our alliance . Thank you . Secretary 162 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:28,340 Austin , senior undersecretary Faustino , 163 00:07:28,340 --> 00:07:30,451 thank you very much , gentlemen . Our 164 00:07:30,451 --> 00:07:32,507 first question will go to NBC News . 165 00:07:32,900 --> 00:07:34,900 Thank you both for joining us . Two 166 00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:37,067 questions for Secretary Austin . First 167 00:07:37,067 --> 00:07:39,850 on the military pipeline , they don't 168 00:07:39,850 --> 00:07:42,920 call the incident sabotaged over 19 . 169 00:07:44,170 --> 00:07:47,640 Are you concerned that this is possibly 170 00:07:47,650 --> 00:07:49,872 pursuing more aggressive hybrid warfare 171 00:07:49,872 --> 00:07:52,640 against NATO and the US discussing with 172 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,280 new allies to provide more security for 173 00:07:55,290 --> 00:07:57,512 energy and infrastructure , given these 174 00:07:57,512 --> 00:07:59,623 explosions at the pipeline . And then 175 00:07:59,623 --> 00:08:01,990 the second question there's a report 176 00:08:01,990 --> 00:08:04,101 out saying that the pentagon plans to 177 00:08:04,101 --> 00:08:06,101 set up the to arm Ukraine . Can you 178 00:08:06,101 --> 00:08:08,157 confirm this ? Reported that they're 179 00:08:08,157 --> 00:08:10,101 reviewing plans to set up this new 180 00:08:10,101 --> 00:08:11,934 command And finally , is this an 181 00:08:11,934 --> 00:08:14,101 acknowledgement that the current phase 182 00:08:14,101 --> 00:08:16,212 of Russia's invasion was going to the 183 00:08:16,212 --> 00:08:20,180 last few years ? Thanks moshe . Uh 184 00:08:20,190 --> 00:08:22,400 That was about eight questions as I as 185 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,130 I counted them . But uh to your first 186 00:08:25,130 --> 00:08:28,070 question in terms of 187 00:08:28,740 --> 00:08:32,530 the attack or the 188 00:08:32,540 --> 00:08:36,470 damage to the pipeline um at this point 189 00:08:36,470 --> 00:08:39,480 I think there's a lot of speculation , 190 00:08:39,490 --> 00:08:43,320 but quite frankly , until complete 191 00:08:43,330 --> 00:08:46,560 investigation has done , uh no one will 192 00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:49,640 be able to really uh determine for 193 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:51,840 certain what happened . I had the 194 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:53,451 opportunity to speak with my 195 00:08:53,451 --> 00:08:56,360 counterpart in uh in Denmark yesterday , 196 00:08:56,370 --> 00:09:00,080 we talked about uh what 197 00:09:00,090 --> 00:09:03,740 uh what happened uh and uh and he 198 00:09:03,950 --> 00:09:05,839 pointed out to me that it will be 199 00:09:05,839 --> 00:09:09,180 several days before . Uh he's able to 200 00:09:09,190 --> 00:09:12,930 uh get the right team in to uh 201 00:09:12,940 --> 00:09:15,300 look at the sights and really try to 202 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:17,790 determine as best possible what 203 00:09:17,790 --> 00:09:20,650 happened . Uh And so until that until 204 00:09:20,650 --> 00:09:23,630 we get uh further information are able 205 00:09:23,630 --> 00:09:25,797 to do further analysis . Uh You know , 206 00:09:25,797 --> 00:09:28,200 we won't speculate on who may have been 207 00:09:28,210 --> 00:09:32,210 responsible uh And certainly I 208 00:09:32,210 --> 00:09:34,950 offered uh to provide any assistance 209 00:09:34,950 --> 00:09:38,240 that the United States uh may provide . 210 00:09:38,250 --> 00:09:40,270 Uh And most , can you repeat your 211 00:09:40,270 --> 00:09:42,750 second question there again Again , 212 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:44,982 there was a report that came out saying 213 00:09:44,982 --> 00:09:47,204 that the Pentagon plans to set up a new 214 00:09:47,204 --> 00:09:49,316 command to arm Ukraine were wondering 215 00:09:49,316 --> 00:09:51,482 if you can confirm that report or that 216 00:09:51,482 --> 00:09:53,649 you're reviewing plans to stand to set 217 00:09:53,649 --> 00:09:55,690 up a new command ? And is this an 218 00:09:55,690 --> 00:09:57,857 acknowledgement that the current phase 219 00:09:57,857 --> 00:10:00,410 of Russia's invasion is gonna last for 220 00:10:00,410 --> 00:10:03,200 a long time ? I would just simply point 221 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:07,070 out most that as you've seen us do over 222 00:10:07,070 --> 00:10:11,040 time we have continued to look for ways 223 00:10:11,050 --> 00:10:13,190 along with our international partners 224 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:16,230 uh to provide continue to provide 225 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,980 additional security assistance to 226 00:10:18,990 --> 00:10:21,730 Ukraine . Whether that assistance is in 227 00:10:21,730 --> 00:10:25,290 the form of uh actual equipment or or 228 00:10:25,300 --> 00:10:27,590 legit other logistical support or 229 00:10:27,590 --> 00:10:30,310 training , we continue to evaluate what 230 00:10:30,310 --> 00:10:32,610 will be needed and and make provisions 231 00:10:32,610 --> 00:10:36,130 to uh to provide that um that 232 00:10:36,140 --> 00:10:38,620 security assistance . And so that will 233 00:10:38,630 --> 00:10:40,890 that will be ongoing . And in terms of 234 00:10:40,890 --> 00:10:42,950 how long the conflict could last , 235 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:44,849 don't want to speculate on that . 236 00:10:44,849 --> 00:10:46,960 Either . What I will tell you is that 237 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,180 uh we will continue to support Ukraine 238 00:10:49,180 --> 00:10:51,291 as you've heard our president say for 239 00:10:51,291 --> 00:10:53,291 as long as it takes and I know that 240 00:10:53,291 --> 00:10:55,470 just based upon what I see in the 241 00:10:55,470 --> 00:10:59,200 Ukraine uh defense uh contact 242 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,280 groups that you know we host every 243 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:04,170 month . We host it on here earlier this 244 00:11:04,170 --> 00:11:06,059 month and then we'll have another 245 00:11:06,059 --> 00:11:09,240 session in september and october But 246 00:11:09,250 --> 00:11:11,650 what I see in those sessions is a 247 00:11:11,650 --> 00:11:13,317 commitment on the part of our 248 00:11:13,317 --> 00:11:17,000 international uh partners to continue 249 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,410 to provide support for as long as it 250 00:11:19,410 --> 00:11:22,060 takes . Thanks . Thanks . Our next 251 00:11:22,070 --> 00:11:23,959 question will go to sylvie agency 252 00:11:23,959 --> 00:11:27,930 France Presse . Thank you . Mr 253 00:11:28,620 --> 00:11:31,560 I have a question for you . Um given 254 00:11:31,570 --> 00:11:34,120 the Philippines are geographically 255 00:11:34,130 --> 00:11:37,930 close to Taiwan and that your 256 00:11:37,940 --> 00:11:41,130 country is pretty ally of the United 257 00:11:41,130 --> 00:11:44,020 States , Would the Philippines be ready 258 00:11:44,030 --> 00:11:47,220 to make the U . S . To defend Taiwan in 259 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:50,170 case of chinese aggression ? And I have 260 00:11:50,170 --> 00:11:54,040 a question for you sir . Uh nobody 261 00:11:54,050 --> 00:11:57,680 in the West is going to recognize the 262 00:11:57,690 --> 00:12:01,320 relaxation of Ukrainian regions 263 00:12:01,330 --> 00:12:04,140 by Moscow . And the Ukrainians 264 00:12:04,150 --> 00:12:06,372 themselves have said that they're going 265 00:12:06,372 --> 00:12:09,170 to keep fighting to reclaim them . 266 00:12:09,180 --> 00:12:13,130 So aren't you concerned that the 267 00:12:13,140 --> 00:12:16,020 West is cornering putting 268 00:12:16,030 --> 00:12:18,740 into a nuclear option ? 269 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,140 Thank you for that question on the 270 00:12:24,140 --> 00:12:28,070 tensions over the uh Taiwan strait . 271 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:30,980 I would like to emphasize the statement 272 00:12:30,980 --> 00:12:34,930 of our president on the 273 00:12:34,940 --> 00:12:37,040 principle guiding Philippine foreign 274 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,040 policy is always peace . And the 275 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:41,929 Philippines is concerned with the 276 00:12:41,929 --> 00:12:44,550 recent security developments in Taiwan 277 00:12:44,560 --> 00:12:47,200 in the Taiwan strait particularly which 278 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:51,160 is uh just near our territory . 279 00:12:51,170 --> 00:12:55,110 And uh while the Philippines adheres to 280 00:12:55,110 --> 00:12:57,450 the one china policy , we urge all 281 00:12:57,450 --> 00:13:00,280 concerned parties to exercise restraint 282 00:13:00,290 --> 00:13:02,346 and that diplomacy and dialogue must 283 00:13:02,346 --> 00:13:05,690 prevail in view of the volatile 284 00:13:05,690 --> 00:13:09,360 situation in the cross straits , the 285 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:11,416 Philippines immediate concern is the 286 00:13:11,416 --> 00:13:13,249 safety of course of our overseas 287 00:13:13,249 --> 00:13:15,330 Filipino workers in Taiwan which at 288 00:13:15,340 --> 00:13:17,630 this point is numbering around 130 289 00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:21,570 150,000 overseas Filipino workers and 290 00:13:21,570 --> 00:13:24,330 we continue to update and enhance our 291 00:13:24,340 --> 00:13:26,890 contingency plans , it is also 292 00:13:26,890 --> 00:13:29,600 imperative to regularly update and 293 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,240 exercise the Philippines us , the 294 00:13:32,250 --> 00:13:34,540 mutual defense concept plan . Under the 295 00:13:34,540 --> 00:13:36,484 ambit of the mutual defense treaty 296 00:13:36,484 --> 00:13:38,500 based on our dynamic security 297 00:13:38,500 --> 00:13:39,944 environment . Thank you . 298 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,090 Sylvie in 299 00:13:45,300 --> 00:13:47,220 with respect to your question on 300 00:13:47,220 --> 00:13:49,660 whether or not we are cornering Putin 301 00:13:49,670 --> 00:13:53,620 into employing a nuclear option . 302 00:13:54,590 --> 00:13:57,820 Um I would just say that we and our 303 00:13:57,820 --> 00:13:59,931 allies , as I said earlier , Sylvia , 304 00:13:59,931 --> 00:14:03,770 we're committed to Uh supporting help 305 00:14:03,780 --> 00:14:07,490 supporting Ukraine uh to in its efforts 306 00:14:07,490 --> 00:14:10,060 to defend its sovereign territory will 307 00:14:10,060 --> 00:14:12,370 continue to do that . But in terms of 308 00:14:12,380 --> 00:14:16,070 the options that Mr Putin has uh one 309 00:14:16,070 --> 00:14:18,580 significant option that he's always had 310 00:14:18,590 --> 00:14:21,730 that is to end this conflict today to 311 00:14:21,730 --> 00:14:25,560 withdraw from Ukraine . And uh and you 312 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:27,850 know that option existed day one . It 313 00:14:27,850 --> 00:14:30,680 exists now . And so he will always have 314 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:32,902 an option and I hope hope that he would 315 00:14:32,902 --> 00:14:35,013 he would exercise that option here in 316 00:14:35,013 --> 00:14:37,090 the near future . And uh and and 317 00:14:37,090 --> 00:14:39,260 bringing in to the need list 318 00:14:39,270 --> 00:14:43,270 uh devastation that we've seen thus 319 00:14:43,270 --> 00:14:45,870 far ? Thank you gentlemen . Uh Next 320 00:14:45,870 --> 00:14:48,203 question will go to Rio Nakamura Nikkei , 321 00:14:48,770 --> 00:14:50,659 thank you very much for taking my 322 00:14:50,659 --> 00:14:53,510 questions uh to the secretary first . 323 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,100 Uh the U . S . And the Philippines have 324 00:14:56,110 --> 00:14:58,020 worked together to maintain the 325 00:14:58,430 --> 00:15:00,800 organization in the South china sea for 326 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:04,030 a long time . But China has also 327 00:15:04,030 --> 00:15:07,150 stepped up its military activity in and 328 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:09,970 around the Taiwan threat including uh 329 00:15:09,980 --> 00:15:12,880 the uh the Philippines . So do you 330 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:16,330 think that objective of us Philippine 331 00:15:16,340 --> 00:15:19,300 defense cooperation should include 332 00:15:19,310 --> 00:15:21,830 maintaining peace and stability in the 333 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:25,000 Taiwan way . And secondly from North 334 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,840 Korea , North Korea has North Korea 335 00:15:28,850 --> 00:15:31,550 launched ballistic missiles three times 336 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,150 this week . How much are you concerned 337 00:15:34,150 --> 00:15:37,460 that North Korea will also form that 338 00:15:37,470 --> 00:15:40,740 nuclear test soon And to this to the 339 00:15:40,740 --> 00:15:44,510 senior undersecretary uh china has 340 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:46,990 maintained effective control in the 341 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,480 south China sea . And I'm wondering 342 00:15:49,490 --> 00:15:52,560 what was the next steps the U . S . And 343 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:54,920 the Philippines will take to enhance 344 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:57,540 the security in the south China sea . 345 00:15:57,550 --> 00:16:01,160 Thank you very much . Um Rio as you 346 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:04,580 have rightly pointed out , we remain 347 00:16:04,590 --> 00:16:07,910 committed to uh maintaining 348 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,910 uh and open uh and free uh 349 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:14,031 indo pacific region . We will want to 350 00:16:14,031 --> 00:16:16,087 maintain the ability to sell the the 351 00:16:16,087 --> 00:16:18,970 seas and and navigate the skies 352 00:16:18,980 --> 00:16:22,920 uh as we should be allowed to do and we 353 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,198 will continue to work towards that end . 354 00:16:25,198 --> 00:16:28,940 Uh And uh in terms 355 00:16:28,940 --> 00:16:31,740 of uh the Taiwan strait , you've heard 356 00:16:31,740 --> 00:16:34,900 us say a number of times that that we 357 00:16:34,900 --> 00:16:37,630 are we we don't want to see any type of 358 00:16:37,630 --> 00:16:40,890 unilateral change to to the status quo 359 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:43,550 uh in the in the Taiwan strait and so 360 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,420 but we are focused on making sure that 361 00:16:46,420 --> 00:16:49,590 we are working together to ensure that 362 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:53,240 that we maintain a free and open 363 00:16:53,250 --> 00:16:56,370 uh indo pacific on the issue of North 364 00:16:56,370 --> 00:16:59,990 Korea . Um We remain focused on 365 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,990 making sure that you know , we do 366 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,850 everything we can to continue to 367 00:17:04,850 --> 00:17:07,590 strengthen our our alliance with uh 368 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:09,322 with the R . O . K . We remain 369 00:17:09,322 --> 00:17:11,550 committed to the protection and the 370 00:17:11,550 --> 00:17:14,190 defense of the rok and we'll continue 371 00:17:14,190 --> 00:17:16,540 to work with our with our allies there 372 00:17:16,550 --> 00:17:20,170 and also with with other uh allies in 373 00:17:20,170 --> 00:17:21,948 the region like that , like the 374 00:17:21,948 --> 00:17:24,160 Japanese . Uh so that will remain our 375 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,600 focus going forward . Yes , thank you 376 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:31,280 for our next steps for next steps uh 377 00:17:32,260 --> 00:17:34,427 concerning the West Philippine sea and 378 00:17:34,427 --> 00:17:38,230 the South China sea . Uh The 379 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:40,570 Philippines underscores the importance 380 00:17:40,570 --> 00:17:43,100 of diplomacy and dialogue for the 381 00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:45,322 peaceful resolution of the these issues 382 00:17:45,322 --> 00:17:47,580 in the south china sea . This includes 383 00:17:47,590 --> 00:17:51,270 uh continuing continuous uh engagement 384 00:17:51,270 --> 00:17:53,800 with china in both bilateral and 385 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:56,970 multilateral platforms or multilateral 386 00:17:56,980 --> 00:17:59,740 dialogues without prejudice of course , 387 00:17:59,740 --> 00:18:01,962 to the Philippines position in the West 388 00:18:01,962 --> 00:18:04,130 Philippine sea uh to facilitate 389 00:18:04,140 --> 00:18:06,210 facilitate mutual trust and 390 00:18:06,220 --> 00:18:09,420 understanding uh admittedly the 391 00:18:09,420 --> 00:18:12,460 volatile situation in the south china 392 00:18:12,460 --> 00:18:14,920 and the West Philippine sea remains as 393 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:17,253 the Philippines former security concern . 394 00:18:17,253 --> 00:18:20,390 And uh as it is right now we continue 395 00:18:20,390 --> 00:18:22,620 to engage with like minded countries 396 00:18:22,630 --> 00:18:26,130 and uh make sure that the rule of law 397 00:18:26,140 --> 00:18:28,362 and the rules based international order 398 00:18:28,362 --> 00:18:30,584 will prevail in the West Philippine sea 399 00:18:30,584 --> 00:18:32,640 in the south china sea . Thank you . 400 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:34,640 Thank you gentlemen . And our final 401 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:36,807 question will go to Jim Garman D . O . 402 00:18:36,807 --> 00:18:40,770 D . News Mr . Secretary promised one 403 00:18:40,770 --> 00:18:43,290 question uh in the past , you talked 404 00:18:43,300 --> 00:18:46,570 places not bases . Does that still 405 00:18:46,570 --> 00:18:50,310 hold and for uh Minister 406 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:53,450 in light of all that china is doing . 407 00:18:53,460 --> 00:18:55,950 What's the one thing that the 408 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:58,380 Philippines needs from the United 409 00:18:58,380 --> 00:19:01,090 States . What would do your country the 410 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:04,950 most good . So jim we today we 411 00:19:04,950 --> 00:19:08,140 had a robust dialogue on positioning 412 00:19:08,140 --> 00:19:10,950 the alliance to address emerging 413 00:19:10,950 --> 00:19:14,720 challenges , challenges uh you know we 414 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:16,498 fought together , we've trained 415 00:19:16,498 --> 00:19:19,900 together uh and uh and so we we 416 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:23,160 consider ourselves we were allies but 417 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,382 we consider ourselves to be more family 418 00:19:25,382 --> 00:19:27,493 than anything else . And I'm proud to 419 00:19:27,493 --> 00:19:29,716 proud to say that you've heard me say a 420 00:19:29,716 --> 00:19:32,150 couple of times that that I cannot 421 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:35,740 imagine a day when the United States 422 00:19:35,750 --> 00:19:38,270 and uh and the Philippines aren't 423 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:41,370 allies , it's it's who we are . And 424 00:19:41,370 --> 00:19:43,592 again I consider us to be more family . 425 00:19:43,592 --> 00:19:46,130 But today we agreed on a number of ways 426 00:19:46,130 --> 00:19:49,790 to continue to grow that cooperation um 427 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:52,050 as you know , we we've been able to 428 00:19:52,050 --> 00:19:54,190 move forward on visiting forces 429 00:19:54,190 --> 00:19:57,420 agreement . And uh and we discussed the 430 00:19:57,420 --> 00:20:00,250 E . D . C . A . Which it's critical to 431 00:20:00,260 --> 00:20:02,900 our alliance cooperation and 432 00:20:02,910 --> 00:20:05,680 strengthening our combined capabilities . 433 00:20:05,690 --> 00:20:09,350 So uh to answer your question uh 434 00:20:09,360 --> 00:20:13,210 places are really really important but 435 00:20:13,220 --> 00:20:15,880 uh but you know it's it's about the 436 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,102 engagement , it's about the opportunity 437 00:20:18,102 --> 00:20:20,370 to work together . Uh and uh and that 438 00:20:20,370 --> 00:20:22,537 was really the focus of our discussion 439 00:20:22,537 --> 00:20:25,410 today . Yes thank you . The Philippines , 440 00:20:25,410 --> 00:20:27,466 defense and security engagement with 441 00:20:27,466 --> 00:20:30,240 the U . S . Remains the key pillar of 442 00:20:30,250 --> 00:20:33,580 the Philippine us bilateral relations . 443 00:20:33,590 --> 00:20:36,390 You know , like we continue to stand by 444 00:20:36,390 --> 00:20:40,260 the Philippine us mutual 445 00:20:40,260 --> 00:20:42,680 defense treaty and it has been the 446 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:46,460 basis of the national defense policy 447 00:20:46,470 --> 00:20:49,390 of our country . And 448 00:20:50,590 --> 00:20:54,430 we look forward after this uh 449 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:56,890 bilateral meeting that we had of a more 450 00:20:56,890 --> 00:20:59,950 robust cooperation particularly in 451 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:03,190 in issues pertaining uh 452 00:21:03,730 --> 00:21:06,660 external threats to to our country , 453 00:21:06,670 --> 00:21:09,500 and coming up 454 00:21:09,500 --> 00:21:12,220 with coming up with 455 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:16,020 other avenues of cooperation where we 456 00:21:16,020 --> 00:21:18,640 could discuss matters . We could 457 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:22,050 discuss things with mutual interest , 458 00:21:22,060 --> 00:21:25,570 too , to to to the U . S . And the 459 00:21:25,570 --> 00:21:29,220 Philippines . Secretary Austin , 460 00:21:29,230 --> 00:21:31,397 senior under Secretary Fassino . Thank 461 00:21:31,397 --> 00:21:33,563 you very much . Gentlemen , ladies and 462 00:21:33,563 --> 00:21:35,563 gentlemen , this is all the time we 463 00:21:35,563 --> 00:21:35,170 have available for today . Thank you 464 00:21:35,170 --> 00:21:36,140 very much for coming .