President Joe Biden will have a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, and the two will announce new guidelines for strengthening their already-increased military cooperation between them.
The new guidance will "deepen our alliance cooperation and interoperability across operational domains, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace," a senior administration official told reporters, adding that one aspect of Monday's announcement will be the transfer of three U.S. C-130 aircraft and are looking to provide them with additional patrol vessels following a previous announcement from earlier this month.
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"I think that, you know, our view is these transfers will support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program by significantly enhancing its maritime and tactical capacity. We’re looking to also transfer some additional patrol vessels, and stay tuned for that," the official said.
Marcos has sought to strengthen his country's relationship with the United States since he assumed office after the administration of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a time when relations with the U.S. soured.
"Some of the steps that China have taken have concerned (Marcos), probably even surprised him," the official said, regarding the Chinese military's recent military aggression in the region. "He has a, I think, strong desire to work closely with both countries but finds himself in a situation that the steps that China's taking are deeply concerning."
Marcos's visit comes just three months after the U.S. secured access to four key military bases in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Coordinator Agreement modernization projects. The sites are Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.
Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters on April 21 that it was too early to share how many troops would be in the Philippines at the EDCA sites.
"It is too early to discuss specific numbers, capabilities, or timing. But it’s important to remember that any use of EDCA sites is a joint decision between the Philippines and the United States," he said. "The United States and the Philippines have committed to move quickly in advancing necessary plans and investments for the new EDCA sites. EDCA sites could potentially be used to support a wide range of missions that serve our shared interests, including joint military training, disaster relief and humanitarian efforts, and combined exercises."
The Pentagon said at the time that it “will strengthen the interoperability of the U.S. and Philippine Armed Forces and allow us to respond more seamlessly together to address a range of shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including natural and humanitarian disasters.”
Washington's relationship with Beijing has been increasingly rocky in recent months following a series of incidents and acts of aggression both against the U.S. and its allies in the Pacific region. These incidents have occurred as Beijing is working to modernize and expand its military and its weapons arsenal with the prospect of changing the world order.
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In February, the Philippines accused the Chinese military of pointing a laser at a ship in the South China Sea, temporarily blinding a crew member.
Then-U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said China's behavior was "provocative and unsafe" and had interfered with the Philippines's "lawful operations."