US deploys special forces to support Philippines in East Sea

Mr. Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesman for the US Embassy in Manila, said on November 21 that the US military is supporting Philippine activities in the East Sea through a task force.

According to Reuters, quoting US Embassy spokesman Kanishka Gangopadhyay, the force is called Ayungin. "Task Force Ayungin enhances coordination and interoperability between the US and Philippines alliances by allowing US forces to support Armed Forces of the Philippines operations in the South China Sea."

Aerial photo of the Cay May area on March 9, 2023

“This initiative fits into many aspects of cooperation between U.S. and Philippine forces,” Gangopadhyay said, but did not elaborate on what kind of support the task force would provide.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said: "They are assisting us, for example with ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), maritime domain awareness, but when it comes to direct engagement on the ground, it is purely a Philippine activity." Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila did not ask Washington for supplies for its military, stressing that the US side was only providing "imagery" to help Philippine forces.

The information was released after the US and the Philippines signed an agreement on November 18 to share technology and classified military information. The agreement, officially called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), is an important step to enhance information sharing and interaction between the two countries, which is expected to benefit the defense sector of the Southeast Asian country. In addition, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on November 17 that the US government has provided the Philippine Navy with a number of unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

Defense ties between the Philippines and the United States have strengthened rapidly in recent times, with the United States asserting that it has a legitimate interest in ensuring peace and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, through which more than $3 trillion in trade passes every year.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-trien-khai-luc-luong-dac-nhiem-ho-tro-philippines-o-bien-dong-185241121175511548.htm