Palace elated by exemption of US security aid to PH from grant freeze

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (Screengrab via Office of the President/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang welcomed on Tuesday the exemption of United States (US) security assistance to the Philippines from its global foreign aid freeze, saying it would significantly boost the country’s defense modernization efforts.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed the government’s gratitude for the support from the US, acknowledging the importance of the exemption in light of the 90-day foreign aid freeze announced by President Donald Trump.

“Ito po ay napakalaking bagay at nagpapasalamat po tayo sa suporta na iyan (This is a significant development and we are very thankful for this support),” Castro said.

The Palace official also noted that the US support reflects the longstanding cooperation between the two nations.

She added that the aid would play a crucial role in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Last year, former US Defense secretary Lloyd Austin III and State secretary Antony Blinken announced the grant of assistance worth USD500 million for the modernization of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard.