Austin says US-Philippine alliance will transcend administrations [Video]

The Philippines will remain an important US ally whoever is in the White House, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday, offering reassurances to Manila as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Manila and Washington, longstanding treaty allies, have deepened their defence cooperation since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing’s claims to the South China Sea.

Austin’s visit to the Philippines this week included a closed-door meeting with Marcos and the signing of an agreement on sharing classified military intelligence.

“The strength of our alliance, I think, will transcend changes of administration going forward,” Austin told a news conference on the western Philippine island of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea.

“I won’t speculate on what the next administration will do, what I can tell you is what I know and what I know is I’ve seen strong support for …