US lawmakers back stronger ties with Philippines
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
WASHINGTON -- Republican lawmakers are backing Obama administration efforts to forge a stronger relationship with the Philippines and say Congress soon will approve the transfer of a second ship to help the ally's navy defend its waters.
Rep. Ed Royce told a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs hearing Tuesday on U.S.-Philippine ties that the congressional review process for transferring the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas wraps up this week, and the ship should soon be on its way to Manila. Another aging U.S. cutter, the Hamilton, was transferred to the Philippines last May.
The U.S. has sought to boost the Philippines' ability in maritime security because of concern over assertive Chinese behavior in disputed waters of the South China Sea. (AP)
