WEBVTT 00:00.910 --> 00:04.070 Ladies and Gentlemen , Secretary 00:04.080 --> 00:06.390 Carlito galvez Jr of the Department of 00:06.390 --> 00:09.020 National Defense and Secretary Lloyd 00:09.030 --> 00:11.570 Austin the third of the US Department 00:11.570 --> 00:12.600 of Defense . 00:18.410 --> 00:22.060 Yeah , good morning ladies and 00:22.060 --> 00:24.300 gentlemen , the visit of U . S . 00:24.300 --> 00:26.530 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin the 00:26.530 --> 00:28.752 third here in the Philippines signifies 00:28.752 --> 00:30.863 a strong ban and enduring partnership 00:30.863 --> 00:33.030 between the Philippines and the United 00:33.030 --> 00:35.670 States , particularly in the areas of 00:35.670 --> 00:37.770 humanitarian assistance , economic 00:37.770 --> 00:39.714 development and peace and security 00:39.714 --> 00:42.050 among others . Even the president said 00:42.050 --> 00:44.560 that our relationship will become 00:44.560 --> 00:47.810 stronger and robust moreover , the 00:47.810 --> 00:50.660 trip of the honorable Secretary Austin 00:50.660 --> 00:52.882 symbolizes the United States government 00:52.882 --> 00:55.370 steadfast commitment to help its allies 00:55.380 --> 00:57.960 in preserving a free and open indo 00:57.960 --> 01:00.890 pacific . Our nation's shares the 01:00.890 --> 01:03.112 belief that sustainable development and 01:03.112 --> 01:05.279 genuine peace should go hand in hand . 01:05.930 --> 01:08.290 During our meeting we took stock of 01:08.290 --> 01:10.179 priority areas including the full 01:10.179 --> 01:12.346 implementation of the enhanced defense 01:12.346 --> 01:15.470 cooperation agreement or Ed CA by 01:15.470 --> 01:17.692 completing the ongoing projects as well 01:17.692 --> 01:20.600 as the agreement to designate new sites 01:20.610 --> 01:23.790 where agreement agreed locations may be 01:23.790 --> 01:26.400 developed . We will work on the timely 01:26.400 --> 01:28.122 conclusion of the framework of 01:28.122 --> 01:30.010 cooperation that will facilitate 01:30.020 --> 01:32.880 secured exchange of information between 01:32.890 --> 01:35.820 our defense establishment . We also 01:35.820 --> 01:37.876 encourage the continued planning and 01:37.876 --> 01:39.987 conduct of high impact and high value 01:39.987 --> 01:41.840 activities primarily through the 01:41.840 --> 01:44.180 Philippine us mutual depends board 01:44.190 --> 01:46.357 security engagement board or M D . B . 01:46.357 --> 01:48.830 S C . B . And other Philippine US 01:48.830 --> 01:51.940 coverted mechanisms . Secretary Austin 01:51.940 --> 01:54.220 and I have also agreed to deepen 01:54.220 --> 01:56.276 bilateral cooperation to support the 01:56.276 --> 01:58.442 Philippine defense capability needs as 01:58.442 --> 02:01.030 well as the Philippine US alliance . 02:01.040 --> 02:03.830 The bilateral meeting we have today 02:03.840 --> 02:05.673 partners strengthen our nation's 02:05.673 --> 02:08.010 collaborative efforts in addressing 02:08.010 --> 02:10.620 pressing security threats in the region 02:10.630 --> 02:12.852 as well as effectively dealing with the 02:12.852 --> 02:15.186 natural disasters caused by the climate , 02:15.186 --> 02:18.370 climate change , A major global concern 02:18.370 --> 02:21.580 we need to confront head on . We shall 02:21.580 --> 02:23.840 continue to work towards maintaining a 02:23.840 --> 02:27.450 stable rule based , open and 02:27.460 --> 02:30.180 inclusive in the pacific region along 02:30.180 --> 02:32.600 with partner countries , we strongly 02:32.600 --> 02:35.280 oppose any unilateral action or attempt 02:35.280 --> 02:37.480 to disrupt current world order and 02:37.480 --> 02:39.830 share the same views that all countries 02:39.840 --> 02:42.260 should resolve any issue peacefully and 02:42.260 --> 02:44.670 adhere to the international law , 02:44.680 --> 02:46.458 particularly the United Nations 02:46.458 --> 02:48.730 conventions of the law of the sea , our 02:48.730 --> 02:51.270 own clothes . The Philippines also 02:51.270 --> 02:53.520 appreciates the us continued support in 02:53.520 --> 02:56.010 our fight against COVID-19 and our 02:56.020 --> 02:58.187 counterterrorism airports down south . 02:59.020 --> 03:01.200 Our discussion focused on how our 03:01.200 --> 03:03.540 countries can continue to work together 03:03.550 --> 03:05.570 in order to preserve the Philippine 03:05.570 --> 03:08.140 territorial integrity . We also talk 03:08.150 --> 03:10.440 about the initiatives that our nations 03:10.440 --> 03:12.662 can carry out to mitigate the impact of 03:12.662 --> 03:15.760 climate change in our societies . These 03:15.760 --> 03:18.200 airports with which we hope to jointly 03:18.200 --> 03:20.900 undertake is in line with the guidance 03:20.910 --> 03:23.300 of President President MARCos and that 03:23.300 --> 03:26.170 is for the Defense Department to make 03:26.170 --> 03:28.440 sure that not an inch of our nation's 03:28.440 --> 03:31.160 territory will be lost and our people's 03:31.160 --> 03:34.430 safety and security will be ensured by 03:34.430 --> 03:36.263 the strengthening our diplomatic 03:36.263 --> 03:38.980 relations with our allies , preserve 03:38.980 --> 03:41.660 peace and create a stable international 03:41.660 --> 03:44.160 environment in the Asia pacific region . 03:44.170 --> 03:46.400 Thank you and good morning once again 03:46.410 --> 03:50.050 to all . Secretary . Good morning 03:50.050 --> 03:53.810 everyone . Secretary galvez , thanks 03:53.810 --> 03:56.640 for a very productive meeting and 03:56.640 --> 03:58.640 congratulations again on your new 03:58.640 --> 04:02.450 position . I look forward to continuing 04:02.460 --> 04:05.970 to work closely together Now . This was 04:05.970 --> 04:07.970 the fourth discussion that I've had 04:07.970 --> 04:10.192 with the Department of National Defense 04:10.192 --> 04:12.820 Leaders since the start of the MARCOS 04:12.830 --> 04:15.680 administration and that just 04:15.680 --> 04:17.902 underscores the importance that both of 04:17.902 --> 04:20.610 our countries place on this 04:20.610 --> 04:24.230 relationship . This is our oldest 04:24.240 --> 04:27.730 treaty alliance in Southeast Asia . 04:27.740 --> 04:30.860 We conduct more than 500 defense 04:30.860 --> 04:34.840 engagements together every year . Mr 04:34.840 --> 04:36.790 President Biden has made clear 04:37.510 --> 04:39.720 America's commitment to the defense of 04:39.720 --> 04:42.760 the Philippines is ironclad . 04:43.760 --> 04:45.500 Our alliance makes both of our 04:45.500 --> 04:48.550 democracies more secure and helps 04:48.560 --> 04:51.840 uphold a free and open indo pacific 04:52.970 --> 04:56.170 and today we discussed ways to make 04:56.170 --> 04:59.350 this vital vital alliance even stronger . 05:00.070 --> 05:02.126 We talked about enhancing our mutual 05:02.126 --> 05:05.070 defense posture and strengthening our 05:05.070 --> 05:08.090 commitments under our mutual defense 05:08.090 --> 05:12.080 treaty . We discussed expanding 05:12.090 --> 05:14.320 the enhanced defense cooperation 05:14.320 --> 05:16.810 agreement which allows our forces to 05:16.810 --> 05:19.470 operate together more efficiently from 05:19.470 --> 05:23.050 key sites across the Philippines . We 05:23.050 --> 05:25.450 talked about how we are co investing in 05:25.680 --> 05:29.580 sites to support security cooperation , 05:30.260 --> 05:32.980 combined training , humanitarian 05:32.990 --> 05:35.170 humanitarian assistance and disaster 05:35.170 --> 05:38.600 relief and all those efforts make both 05:38.600 --> 05:42.280 of our countries more secure and and 05:42.280 --> 05:44.336 we're pleased to announce today that 05:44.336 --> 05:47.250 President MARCos has approved four new 05:47.260 --> 05:50.880 E . D . C . A locations that brings the 05:50.880 --> 05:53.047 total number of E . D . C . A sites to 05:53.047 --> 05:56.200 nine . I'm grateful to President MARCOS 05:56.200 --> 05:59.300 for this decision today . Secretary 05:59.300 --> 06:01.590 galvez and I also reaffirmed , 06:01.600 --> 06:04.530 reaffirmed our mutual defense treaty 06:04.530 --> 06:07.610 commitments and we note that the mutual 06:07.610 --> 06:10.500 defense treaty applies to armed attacks 06:10.500 --> 06:14.030 on either of our armed forces , public 06:14.030 --> 06:17.500 vessels or aircraft anywhere in the 06:17.500 --> 06:21.440 south china sea or the West Philippine 06:21.440 --> 06:25.200 sea . We discussed concrete actions 06:25.200 --> 06:28.000 to address destabilizing activities in 06:28.000 --> 06:30.400 the water surrounding the Philippines 06:30.410 --> 06:33.640 including the West Philippine sea . 06:34.190 --> 06:35.690 And we remain committed to 06:35.690 --> 06:38.540 strengthening our mutual capacities to 06:38.540 --> 06:41.870 resist armed attack . That's just part 06:41.870 --> 06:43.740 of our efforts to modernize our 06:43.740 --> 06:46.460 alliance . And these efforts are 06:46.460 --> 06:48.700 especially important as a people's 06:48.700 --> 06:51.900 republic of china continues to advance 06:51.900 --> 06:54.670 its illegitimate claims in the West 06:54.680 --> 06:58.080 Philippine sea . Now I'm proud of the 06:58.080 --> 07:01.150 work that we've done together . I am 07:01.160 --> 07:03.690 optimistic about the future of our 07:03.690 --> 07:06.570 alliance and I am confident that we 07:06.570 --> 07:08.459 will continue to work together to 07:08.459 --> 07:11.040 defend our shared values of freedom , 07:11.610 --> 07:14.630 democracy and human dignity . 07:15.800 --> 07:19.060 As you've heard me say before , the 07:19.060 --> 07:21.250 United States and the Philippines are 07:21.250 --> 07:24.780 more than just allies . We're family . 07:25.420 --> 07:28.700 So once again Mr Secretary , thanks for 07:28.700 --> 07:31.880 your hospitality and thanks to everyone . 07:31.890 --> 07:34.180 We'll be glad to take a few questions . 07:34.190 --> 07:37.440 All right . Our first question will go 07:37.440 --> 07:39.496 to Karen DeYoung with the Washington 07:39.496 --> 07:40.496 post . 07:43.510 --> 07:47.460 Yeah , thank you 07:47.460 --> 07:50.380 secretaries . Um this is a question to 07:50.390 --> 07:52.390 both of you . I wonder if you could 07:52.390 --> 07:55.220 tell us the location of the new access 07:55.220 --> 07:57.190 sites and specifically how they 07:57.190 --> 07:59.560 position each of your forces better to 07:59.560 --> 08:02.100 hopefully deter and possibly confront 08:02.100 --> 08:04.390 chinese aggression in the south china 08:04.390 --> 08:07.510 sea and beyond in the region and to 08:07.510 --> 08:11.230 address Philippines specific concerns . 08:11.240 --> 08:13.950 And more generally it's no secret that 08:13.950 --> 08:16.061 relations between our two governments 08:16.061 --> 08:17.894 were strained under the previous 08:17.894 --> 08:20.006 Philippines administration . I wonder 08:20.006 --> 08:22.228 if you could give us your assessment of 08:22.228 --> 08:24.228 the relationship now and and moving 08:24.228 --> 08:26.710 forward . Thank you . We'll start with 08:26.710 --> 08:29.600 the end of that Karen and my assessment 08:29.610 --> 08:31.870 and uh I share this assessment with 08:31.880 --> 08:34.880 many of the with the leadership in our 08:34.880 --> 08:37.360 government is that this relationship is 08:37.360 --> 08:40.300 strong and we will continue to work 08:40.300 --> 08:44.130 hard to to strengthen it further in 08:44.130 --> 08:47.640 terms of the E . D . C . A um 08:49.080 --> 08:51.700 locations , I just want to be clear 08:51.700 --> 08:53.478 that we don't we're not seeking 08:53.478 --> 08:55.670 permanent basing in the Philippines as 08:55.670 --> 08:58.003 you heard us say in our statements here . 08:58.003 --> 09:00.440 E D C A E D C A is a corporate 09:00.510 --> 09:04.280 agreement that enables rotational 09:04.280 --> 09:07.110 activities and so it's a key pillar of 09:07.120 --> 09:10.670 training and and opportunities for to 09:10.670 --> 09:13.080 strengthen our interoperability and it 09:13.080 --> 09:16.260 also provides us the ability to uh 09:16.270 --> 09:19.220 respond effectively to um 09:19.230 --> 09:22.710 humanitarian uh issues and and 09:22.710 --> 09:26.540 also uh disaster relief uh in in 09:26.540 --> 09:28.596 other types of crisis , not just for 09:28.596 --> 09:30.540 the Philippines but for the region 09:30.540 --> 09:32.651 throughout . And I'll turn it over to 09:32.651 --> 09:34.970 my my colleague here secretary galvez . 09:35.120 --> 09:38.230 Yes , we have agreed that the end of 09:38.230 --> 09:40.660 the statement of the sites will be 09:40.660 --> 09:43.860 concluded once we have already made 09:43.870 --> 09:46.040 collaboration also with the local 09:46.050 --> 09:48.910 communities because when we when we 09:48.920 --> 09:51.031 make announcements we need to know we 09:51.031 --> 09:54.470 need to this local government governors 09:54.470 --> 09:56.350 and also the local populous city 09:56.350 --> 09:58.480 consultant and the President wanted 09:58.480 --> 10:00.369 that all of our actions should be 10:00.369 --> 10:02.536 consulted with our local governments . 10:02.570 --> 10:06.380 And we wanted also to to to to see that 10:06.390 --> 10:08.780 additional disagreements of the four 10:09.040 --> 10:11.070 sites will be finished soon . 10:11.080 --> 10:13.330 Considering that we are also making 10:13.330 --> 10:16.110 some inspections on how we will do 10:16.110 --> 10:19.550 things particularly that these areas 10:19.560 --> 10:22.100 identified are very vulnerable to 10:22.110 --> 10:24.750 climate change . And we have seen 10:24.760 --> 10:28.130 during the type and Ramil that 10:28.130 --> 10:31.490 our our ally US have 10:31.500 --> 10:34.150 deployed for seven thirty's and also 10:34.150 --> 10:36.660 the Seahawks there when you know the 10:36.670 --> 10:39.950 areas were being isolated . So what 10:39.960 --> 10:43.110 what we want is really to tell you that 10:43.120 --> 10:44.787 we will finish the end of the 10:44.787 --> 10:48.030 identification soon as and we are 10:48.030 --> 10:50.680 committed to a strong alliance . The 10:50.690 --> 10:53.410 President have said that our alliance 10:53.410 --> 10:56.080 now is more stronger and robust as we 10:56.080 --> 10:58.960 said it this morning and we are very 10:58.960 --> 11:01.530 confident that working with Secretary 11:01.530 --> 11:03.752 Annual and other and other and with the 11:03.752 --> 11:06.450 ap we are looking forward that we will 11:06.450 --> 11:09.300 have a high drive of some activities 11:09.310 --> 11:13.120 with with our allies . And 11:13.130 --> 11:15.740 I would like to thank this opportunity 11:15.740 --> 11:19.570 that the visit of of Secretary Lloyd 11:19.580 --> 11:21.747 Austin is very very meaningful to us . 11:21.747 --> 11:24.410 This is a symbolic to all of us that 11:24.420 --> 11:27.890 the U . S . Will always be there for us . 11:28.990 --> 11:31.940 Uh The next question will come from 11:31.950 --> 11:34.830 Chino Gaston of G . M . A seven 11:37.840 --> 11:41.410 afternoon secretaries . Um the US being 11:41.410 --> 11:43.520 the biggest or one of the biggest 11:43.530 --> 11:45.641 players in the west Philippines sea . 11:45.641 --> 11:48.730 Um May we have your insight on the what 11:48.740 --> 11:52.650 people look at as more assertive 11:52.650 --> 11:54.650 activity of the Philippines and the 11:54.650 --> 11:56.872 West Philippines in response to chinese 11:56.872 --> 11:59.470 incursions within our easy like the 11:59.480 --> 12:02.080 Philippine ships shadowing the chinese 12:02.080 --> 12:04.450 ships which the U . S . We understand 12:04.460 --> 12:08.395 routinely does . And your take also Mr 12:08.395 --> 12:10.945 secretary on a code of conduct , does 12:10.945 --> 12:13.112 that help you think what's the U . S . 12:13.112 --> 12:15.112 Take on the code of conduct ? Which 12:15.112 --> 12:18.075 many see as a merely china's attempt to 12:18.075 --> 12:20.395 have a claim of legitimacy if it's 12:20.395 --> 12:22.685 included between the code of conduct 12:22.695 --> 12:24.251 between fashion and china . 12:24.660 --> 12:27.970 So 12:27.980 --> 12:31.790 um we will continue to 12:31.790 --> 12:34.500 work with our allies and partners in 12:34.500 --> 12:38.160 the region who are like minded and who 12:38.170 --> 12:42.060 who value free and open indo 12:42.060 --> 12:44.350 pacific and you've heard both of us 12:44.350 --> 12:47.600 talk about that today um that that's 12:47.610 --> 12:49.790 that's real important . You've also 12:49.790 --> 12:51.680 heard us talk about 12:53.210 --> 12:55.580 rules based international order and 12:55.580 --> 12:58.670 maintaining that . So , you know , the 12:58.670 --> 13:01.980 ability of nations to sail sail the 13:01.980 --> 13:04.900 seas and operate in international 13:04.900 --> 13:07.540 orders and operate in in the 13:07.540 --> 13:09.570 international skies . I think it's 13:09.570 --> 13:11.737 really important and we would we would 13:11.737 --> 13:15.270 look for countries to to respect 13:15.280 --> 13:18.530 a rules based international order . Uh 13:18.540 --> 13:22.310 and um so that's our focus 13:22.320 --> 13:24.487 and it it's it's been our focus in the 13:24.487 --> 13:26.709 past and it will remain our focus going 13:26.709 --> 13:30.650 forward . Alright . Our 13:30.650 --> 13:32.706 next question will go to Jeff Seldin 13:32.706 --> 13:36.650 from V . O . A . 23 13:37.670 --> 13:40.320 secretary galvez Um U . S . Officials 13:40.320 --> 13:42.300 have said one of the aims of these 13:42.300 --> 13:44.830 talks has been to help the Philippines 13:44.830 --> 13:47.730 with military modernization and was 13:47.730 --> 13:49.508 wondering what type of military 13:49.508 --> 13:52.080 modernization help is the Philippines 13:52.080 --> 13:55.270 looking for ? Training , equipment and 13:55.270 --> 13:57.492 if equipment ? What sort of equipment , 13:57.492 --> 13:59.270 weapons and systems uh does the 13:59.270 --> 14:01.326 Philippines military need to take on 14:01.326 --> 14:03.492 both the threat from terrorism and the 14:03.492 --> 14:05.326 growing concerns in the region , 14:05.326 --> 14:07.270 especially the aggressiveness from 14:07.270 --> 14:09.326 china and Secretary Austin , what is 14:09.326 --> 14:11.548 the U . S . Looking to provide and when 14:11.620 --> 14:14.210 and as part of the new Editor agreement , 14:14.220 --> 14:16.276 how many more U . S . Troops will be 14:16.276 --> 14:18.053 stationed in the Philippines in 14:18.053 --> 14:20.560 addition to the 500 that are already 14:20.560 --> 14:22.850 here . And if I may Secretary Austin 14:22.860 --> 14:25.420 following the decision to provide 14:25.430 --> 14:27.960 Ukraine with more tanks , he has been 14:27.960 --> 14:30.390 asking for more f 16 , the number of 14:30.400 --> 14:32.622 european new allies have said that they 14:32.622 --> 14:35.880 think it's a good idea given that is 14:35.880 --> 14:37.713 providing F sixteen's to Ukraine 14:37.713 --> 14:39.547 something that you're willing to 14:39.547 --> 14:41.770 reconsider . Thanks Jeff . So in the 14:41.770 --> 14:45.140 first piece um as 14:45.140 --> 14:48.860 I said earlier , uh vodka is not 14:48.860 --> 14:51.680 about permanent basing here in the 14:51.680 --> 14:54.870 Philippines . Uh it's about providing 14:54.870 --> 14:58.430 access that allows us to uh increase 14:58.440 --> 15:02.280 our training opportunities with uh with 15:02.280 --> 15:04.900 our partners , our allies here . It's 15:04.910 --> 15:08.010 it's about having the ability to 15:08.020 --> 15:11.700 uh to respond in a more uh 15:11.710 --> 15:14.130 effective fashion as we're faced as 15:14.130 --> 15:16.890 we're collectively faced with 15:16.900 --> 15:20.340 humanitarian assistance issues or 15:20.350 --> 15:24.080 natural or disaster response issues . 15:24.370 --> 15:27.970 Uh and so this is an opportunity to 15:27.980 --> 15:31.000 increase our effectiveness , increase 15:31.000 --> 15:33.220 interoperability . It is not about 15:33.230 --> 15:35.563 permanent basing , but it is a big deal . 15:35.563 --> 15:38.410 It's a really big deal in that uh you 15:38.410 --> 15:40.860 know , it gives us presents , provides 15:40.860 --> 15:43.027 us the opportunity again to interact a 15:43.027 --> 15:45.610 bit more in an effective way 15:46.170 --> 15:49.130 Regarding F 16's I think was your 15:49.130 --> 15:51.480 second question . Right . You know , 15:51.480 --> 15:53.590 Jeff , we're focused on providing 15:53.600 --> 15:55.822 Ukraine the capability that it needs to 15:55.822 --> 15:59.600 be effective in its upcoming uh 15:59.610 --> 16:02.590 anticipated uh counter offensive in the 16:02.590 --> 16:04.970 spring . And so we're doing everything 16:04.970 --> 16:07.300 we can to get them the capabilities 16:07.300 --> 16:09.022 that they need right now to be 16:09.022 --> 16:11.240 effective on the battlefield . You've 16:11.240 --> 16:14.260 heard us talk about artillery , air 16:14.260 --> 16:17.650 defense , we provided , made a big push 16:17.650 --> 16:19.930 to provide more armored vehicle 16:19.930 --> 16:22.152 capability . And so all of those things 16:22.152 --> 16:24.380 are in play and we're also increasing 16:24.380 --> 16:26.680 the training that we're providing the 16:26.690 --> 16:28.810 Ukrainians so that these higher end 16:28.810 --> 16:31.320 platforms they can effectively use in 16:31.320 --> 16:35.110 combat . So that's that's our focus uh 16:35.120 --> 16:38.540 currently and and I think uh you know , 16:38.540 --> 16:41.140 as we bring this together in support of 16:41.140 --> 16:43.251 the Ukrainians , it's gonna provide a 16:43.251 --> 16:45.590 significant capability . 16:46.900 --> 16:49.410 Yeah . Your question that what are the 16:49.420 --> 16:51.198 things that we need in order to 16:51.198 --> 16:53.720 increase our capability ? I believe 16:53.720 --> 16:56.000 it's more on the heavy lift and medium 16:56.000 --> 16:59.020 lift capability , like what we have 16:59.020 --> 17:01.070 bought before for for our disaster 17:01.070 --> 17:03.460 relief search and rescue operations 17:03.460 --> 17:06.300 because she also with the sheer line 17:06.310 --> 17:09.820 effect of much raining , we really need 17:09.830 --> 17:13.740 uh seven thirty's and also those 17:13.750 --> 17:17.670 those that that the black hole that 17:17.670 --> 17:20.500 we bought that we continue to see our 17:20.510 --> 17:22.960 search and rescue capability and also 17:22.960 --> 17:25.390 in our capability to defend our our 17:25.390 --> 17:29.050 maritime domain . And I believe one of 17:29.060 --> 17:31.910 the requests of the Chief of Staff is 17:31.910 --> 17:34.940 really on how to detect even the end of 17:34.940 --> 17:37.120 the coastal and the submarine 17:37.130 --> 17:40.860 capability down there in the west 17:40.860 --> 17:43.780 Philippine sea . And we also look at 17:43.780 --> 17:45.780 the possibility that the capability 17:45.780 --> 17:49.420 training as a Secretary Lloyd Austin 17:49.420 --> 17:52.060 that we will modernize our alliance . 17:52.070 --> 17:54.660 And I believe with the first class 17:54.660 --> 17:57.350 training that will be getting from from 17:57.360 --> 17:59.670 the U . S . Forces and we will try to 17:59.670 --> 18:02.940 expand it . I believe we will have a 18:02.940 --> 18:05.410 strong army and strong armed process as 18:05.410 --> 18:07.632 we have shared the same experience when 18:07.632 --> 18:10.330 we were investment come the Special 18:10.330 --> 18:12.441 Operations Task force that has stayed 18:12.441 --> 18:15.700 there since ah 2000 . There is a 18:15.700 --> 18:19.390 rotational deployments of areas like in 18:19.390 --> 18:21.612 Brazil and and also salute in the early 18:21.612 --> 18:23.779 days . These are not these deployments 18:23.779 --> 18:26.001 are very useful to us and very , very , 18:26.001 --> 18:28.470 very encouraging . Succeeding that we 18:28.470 --> 18:31.410 were able to we were able to eradicate 18:31.420 --> 18:34.190 terrorism in the areas of brazil and 18:34.200 --> 18:37.410 and now as we have boasted saloon now 18:37.410 --> 18:40.920 has a nightlife sulu 18:40.920 --> 18:43.970 before . You cannot see any people 18:43.970 --> 18:47.770 during 12 444 o'clock in 18:47.780 --> 18:49.891 the afternoon . They are all in their 18:49.891 --> 18:51.700 houses Now we have a freedom of 18:51.710 --> 18:55.120 movement and I think Secretary Austin's 18:55.120 --> 18:57.220 very much amazed that more than 18:57.220 --> 19:00.370 hundreds of and terrorist 19:00.380 --> 19:02.730 jihadist had already been surrendered 19:02.740 --> 19:04.962 and they are now living a peaceful life 19:05.130 --> 19:08.370 and I believe the the tremendous help 19:08.380 --> 19:12.140 of of the US particularly also in the 19:12.140 --> 19:14.190 battle of Marawi which I've been 19:14.190 --> 19:17.190 involved with , I would like to really 19:17.200 --> 19:19.820 say that this is my time to thank the U . 19:19.820 --> 19:22.300 S . Government for helping us not 19:22.300 --> 19:24.880 leaving us in those lives . And at the 19:24.880 --> 19:27.047 end of the capability that they have , 19:27.047 --> 19:29.213 they have brought to us the eye in the 19:29.213 --> 19:32.740 sky the and also the 7 30 that are 19:32.740 --> 19:36.150 roaming around Marawi 24 7 . That's 19:36.150 --> 19:38.770 capability is very very also useful to 19:38.770 --> 19:42.310 patrol our territory . And that's what 19:42.310 --> 19:44.580 I think what we need the joint training 19:44.580 --> 19:46.636 and the joint experience that we had 19:46.636 --> 19:48.950 has been very , very robust and we have 19:48.950 --> 19:50.630 seen the success of our 19:50.630 --> 19:52.741 counterterrorism efforts down south . 19:54.080 --> 19:56.720 The last question will come from Karen 19:56.720 --> 19:58.880 Lemma of writers , 20:02.290 --> 20:03.130 thank you . 20:05.340 --> 20:09.270 Yeah . Hello Secretary Austin . 20:09.270 --> 20:11.320 Hello Secretary galvez , I know you 20:11.330 --> 20:13.840 already asked about the sites , but if 20:13.840 --> 20:16.062 I could press on that question , if you 20:16.062 --> 20:18.118 could at least confirm whether these 20:18.118 --> 20:20.420 bases will be located in the northern 20:20.430 --> 20:22.580 part of the reason that is close to 20:22.580 --> 20:25.780 Taiwan and in Palawan which is close to 20:25.780 --> 20:29.060 spratlys and what role will this sites 20:29.060 --> 20:32.790 play in the event of a conflict over 20:32.800 --> 20:35.690 Taiwan and Secretary , I ask you 20:35.690 --> 20:37.523 because the North korean Foreign 20:37.523 --> 20:39.579 Minister Ministry issued a statement 20:39.579 --> 20:42.180 today after the U . S . South Korea 20:42.180 --> 20:45.380 trails the U . They said that the 20:45.380 --> 20:47.602 United States have pushed the situation 20:47.602 --> 20:50.220 to an extreme redline and threatened to 20:50.220 --> 20:52.600 turn the peninsula into a huge war 20:52.610 --> 20:55.550 arsenal and a more critical war zone . 20:55.560 --> 20:58.960 Thank you . As I said earlier , we will 20:58.970 --> 21:01.200 will help with the announcement of the 21:01.290 --> 21:05.020 sites because uh our our protocols and 21:05.020 --> 21:07.570 also our diplomatic notes have not been 21:07.580 --> 21:10.070 completed . So we need to complete all 21:10.070 --> 21:11.681 the staff work including our 21:11.681 --> 21:13.830 consultation with the L . G . S . So 21:13.830 --> 21:15.886 pardon me , I will I cannot I cannot 21:15.886 --> 21:19.760 really say where the sites are located 21:19.770 --> 21:23.160 please . Also we want also to respect 21:23.480 --> 21:25.870 the consultations with our L . G . S 21:25.870 --> 21:29.810 and also with Secretary . I'm sorry . 21:29.820 --> 21:32.670 But when you save four locations , it's 21:32.670 --> 21:34.980 for basis because I think there was an 21:34.990 --> 21:37.046 earlier , I think I think we have to 21:37.046 --> 21:39.268 remove the word basis because we called 21:39.268 --> 21:42.990 it Okay Secretary . So your 21:42.990 --> 21:45.460 question was my reaction to the 21:45.470 --> 21:49.300 statement released by North Korea . Um 21:50.660 --> 21:53.850 I would simply say that , you know , 21:53.860 --> 21:57.500 our goal is and always has been 21:57.510 --> 22:00.610 uh to promote greater security and 22:00.610 --> 22:03.560 stability throughout the region . We 22:03.560 --> 22:07.160 remain committed to uh our 22:07.170 --> 22:10.120 extended deterrence commitment and 22:10.120 --> 22:12.231 we're very serious about that when it 22:12.231 --> 22:15.770 when it comes to the to the rok uh and 22:15.780 --> 22:18.690 we will continue to uh to work 22:18.690 --> 22:22.130 alongside our our allies and train and 22:22.140 --> 22:25.800 ensure that we maintain credible and 22:25.800 --> 22:28.910 ready forces . Uh So I'll stop there . 22:29.510 --> 22:30.890 Thank you , appreciate it .