00:00Rising tensions abroad are sparking questions about U.S. military assets in the region.
00:05Even as reports surface about possible redeployments of American missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East,
00:12Philippine military officials say there are no signs of any pullout of U.S. equipment from the country.
00:18Luisa Arispe says it all.
00:22A recent report shows the apparent movement by the U.S. of its Patriot missile defense batteries
00:28and parts of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system deployed in South Korea.
00:35According to a report by a South Korean news agency,
00:38the said equipment may possibly be redeployed to the Middle East amid ongoing tensions in the region,
00:45something that also happened last year when the United States carried out operations against nuclear facilities in Iraq.
00:51Although nothing can be done about the decision,
00:54President Lee Jae-myung reportedly assured that their deterrence strategy against North Korea and other threats will not be affected.
01:03Here in the Philippines, the armed forces of the Philippines said there is no indication that the U.S. will
01:09pull out its military assets from the country.
01:12Among the equipment currently in the country is the Typhon missile system, which was deployed in 2024,
01:18while the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System missile system arrived last year.
01:25Both systems have been featured in various military exercises, including Malikata.
01:30The AFP insisted that the theater arrangement in South Korea regarding the redeployment of certain U.S. air defense systems
01:38is not the same as the situation in the Philippines.
01:41The AFP also believes that the upward trajectory of the alliance between the Philippines and the United States
01:47remains unaffected by the tensions in the Middle East, reinforced by continuing maritime activities,
01:54various engagements, and the recent approval of $2.1 billion in U.S. security assistance over five years.
02:01The AFP again clarified that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites are not U.S. bases,
02:08but are owned by the Philippines and will not be used to launch any offensive action.
02:13Next month, the annual Balikatan exercises of the Philippines and the United States,
02:18along with other partner nations, will be held.
02:21Despite tensions in the Middle East, the exercises will proceed,
02:25although the armed forces of the Philippines is also monitoring the situation.
02:29Well, our troops remain po, yung readiness natin and yung posture natin.
02:33Tuloy-tuloy naman po tayo kung ano man.
02:36But of course, with the current situation, nag-a-adjust din po tayo.
02:42Meanwhile, majority of the Filipino still support the government's transparency initiative in the West Philippine Sea,
02:48based on a Pulse Asia survey conducted from February 27 to March 2, with 1,200 respondents nationwide.
02:56The survey also showed that Donald Trump is the foreign leader most preferred by respondents to visit the Philippines
03:03during the ASEAN Summit, while the United States remains the most trusted country when it comes to protecting the West
03:10Philippine Sea.
03:11They really appreciate the effort of the national task force for the West Philippine Sea.
03:16And of course, with the approval of President Marcos,
03:20na meron talagang pangailangan na pataasin ang kamalayan ng Filipino at i-expose ang Chinese aggression.
03:27Amid rising fuel prices, the Philippine Coast Guard assured that the deployment of its ships
03:32and assets to patrol the West Philippine Sea will remain a priority.
03:37Luisa Erispe from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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