Washington, Dec 9 (UNI) Acting US Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller held talks with the Philippines foreign secretary and secretary of defense on boosting military cooperation and maintaining freedom of navigation open in the South China Sea, announced the Department of Defense. A release by the department on Tuesday read “Acting Secretary of Defense … Miller met with Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodore Locsin in Manila today,” the release said.
“The secretaries also discussed opportunities for deepening bilateral defense cooperation and advancing a shared interest in a free and open South China Sea.” Miller emphasized the importance of cooperation between Washington and Manila and the value the US-Philippines visiting forces Agreement brings to both countries, the release added. As pero a report by Sputnik, Miller also participated in a capabilities display of recently-delivered US sniper and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) equipment, according to the release.