US exempts Phl from foreign aid freeze

The Philippines welcomed the confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday that the United States has exempted its security aid to the country from the global foreign aid freeze.

“Natutuwa po tayo na nagkaroon nga po ng direktiba si US President (Donald) Trump na 90 days magkakaroon ng ipi-freeze ang foreign aid,” Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Malacañang press briefing.

“Kung nagkaroon po tayo ng exemption at nagkaroon po tayo at ibibigay po at iri-release ang 500 million dollars foreign financing sa atin, ito po ay napakalaking bagay at nagpapasalamat po tayo sa suporta na iyan,” she added.

Castro said the exemption reaffirmed the US commitment to its defense partnership with the Philippines. She also noted that the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains on track, emphasizing the significance of US financial support.

On Monday, the DFA confirmed that the US had officially informed Manila about the waiver of a portion of its foreign military financing.

Last year, Washington pledged a $500 million assistance package to support AFP modernization and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). However, nearly all US foreign aid was put on hold last month following an executive order from President Trump imposing a 90-day suspension.