MANILA, Philippines—US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Monday said the Obama administration was "quite comfortable" with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), whose abrogation has been demanded by several Philippine senators and militant groups.

During a four-hour visit to Manila, Gates hammered on the importance of US-Philippine relations evolving into a wider, strategic partnership.

"The United States is quite comfortable with the VFA ... We think it works and we are satisfied," Gates said in a joint press conference with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo.

Several senators in March filed a resolution calling for the repeal of the VFA in the wake of a controversy over custody of Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, who was accused of raping Filipino woman "Nicole," convicted by a trial court and later acquitted on appeal.

The VFA has allowed the US and Philippine military to hold more than 160 bilateral activities a year, including the Balikatan exercises.

Gates said the US administration looked at the Philippines as "a large Asian democracy that is an old friend" and both countries "have the potential to be more effective partners together."

Before meeting local and foreign media, Gates and Teodoro held talks for 30 minutes on counterterrorism and humanitarian and disaster assistance.

More important than aid

Teodoro said he and Gates agreed there was a need to hold a "strategic dialogue" so that US-Philippine relations would grow "based on principles."

"The range and scope of our relationship is fundamentally more important than the amount of assistance given by one government [to] the other," Teodoro said.

This year, the United States has allocated $22 million for humanitarian assistance to the Philippines.

Gates, who came from Singapore, said the Philippines could expect strong support from Washington to defeat terrorism in the country and neighboring regions.

"Together we will not relent until this threat has been eliminated," Gates said, airing the same message to about 70 Filipino and US soldiers he greeted after the press conference.

Gates said: "Looking forward, I believe our relation needs to evolve into a broader, strategic one [so] the Philippines can play an important role in regional peace and stability."

Dispute over Spratlys

Gates distanced the United States from rival territorial claims over the Spratly island chain.

"The US takes no position on those claims, we only urge all of the parties involved to try and resolve these issues clearly, peacefully," he said.

Later, after seeing off Gates, Teodoro told reporters that they also talked about the kidnapping of Red Cross volunteers and teachers in Mindanao and that Gates noted government gains in the battle against the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Teodoro said Gates also talked about "partnering" of US and Philippine military programs "geared toward strengthening the capabilities of both countries.'"

He said Gates assured the country of continued US military support regardless of who took power after the 2010 national elections. With a report from Marlon Ramos