US approves $5.58 billion fighter-jet sale to Philippines

WASHINGTON - The United States said Tuesday it has approved a sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter-jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

The State Department said it was green-lighting the sale that includes 20 F-16 jets and related equipment to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of the United States.

The sale will "improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in Southeast Asia," a State Department statement said.

The sale will boost "the Philippine Air Force's ability to conduct maritime domain awareness" and "enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses," it said.

Asked about the matter, Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said, “We have not received any official notice of such a decision.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla refused to comment on the matter, but she said that the military anticipates “future enhancements.”

“Matters concerning ongoing acquisitions remain under the purview of the DND,” she said.

“Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in our mission to defend the nation while anticipating future enhancements that will strengthen our ability to safeguard our territory,” she added.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo said they only comment on issues or give statements ''regarding assets that had been turned over to us as end-users.''

''We respectfully defer to the DND regarding statements concerning future or ongoing acquisitions,” she said.

“Nonetheless, we continue to perform our mandate, as we also look forward to future developments that will further enhance our capabilities to protect our nation and our skies,” she added.

President Donald Trump's administration has sought to redirect US military efforts to Asia to face a rising China, especially as tensions rise over Taiwan, and to lessen involvement in Europe despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Philippines and China have seen months of escalating confrontations in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit.

On a recent visit to Manila, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to "reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region" in light of "threats from the Communist Chinese."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated US defense commitments to the Philippines, a contrast to the Trump administration's frequent talk of "freeloading" off the United States by allies in Europe. — with Joviland Rita/Agence France-Presse/RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News