US military chief’s visit to improve bilateral relations—AFP spokesman

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa and US military Joint Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey during the arrival honors at Camp Aguinaldo Monday morning.

MANILA, Philippines — The visit of the United States Joint Chief of Staff Army General Martin Dempsey in the Philippines underscores the importance of the Philippines as an ally of the US, a military spokesman said.

The meeting between Dempsey and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa is part of the Mutual Defense Treaty, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. told reporters.

“It will enhance further the bilateral relations of both countries,” he said.

But Burgos added that with or without the ongoing standoff at Scarborough Shoal between China and Philippines, the meeting would have still happened as part of the MDT.

The two military leaders will discuss security issues including the West Philippine Sea, security in Mindanao, among others, he added.

The meeting is a chance to conclude the discussion at the 11th Asia Security Summit of International for Strategic Studies which both Dempsey and Dellosa attended several days ago, Burgos also said.

Dempsey arrived for the meeting at General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo Monday morning where he was given arrival honors.