US exempts $336M aid for Philippine military modernization

The Trump administration has exempted $336 million in aid for Philippine security force modernization from its foreign aid freeze, a decision welcomed by the Philippine Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Malacañang on Tuesday.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez stated that they are working to secure additional waivers for health and education assistance programs after part of Washington's military support was exempted.

This exemption is part of $500 million in foreign military financing approved by the US Congress last year under the Biden administration, with bipartisan backing.

The Philippine government sees this move as a huge help for modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the additional funding will boost the AFP's modernization efforts.

Palace press officer Claire Castro emphasized that the exemption is significant given the 90-day freeze on foreign aid ordered by US President Trump, expressing gratitude for the continued support from the United States.

Despite the aid freeze in other sectors, the Philippines remains committed to its military modernization goals with this crucial financial assistance.