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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
NEWS/PHOTO RELEASE
11 DECEMBER 2006
AMB. GAA BRIEFS ASIA SOCIETY ON RP-US RELATIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C – Philippine Ambassador to the United States H.E. Willy C. Gaa described
Philippine-US relationship as “strategic, robust and mature.” The envoy gave a briefing during today’s
welcome lunch hosted by the Asia Society led by its Executive Director Mr. Joe Snyder and by the
American International Group (AIG) led by its Senior Vice President Oakley Johnson at the Palomar
Hotel in Washington, DC.
Ambassador Gaa said that it is “strategic” because “our alliance had been tested during the Cold War,
the Second World War, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and continues to be tested by subsequent
threats to our democratic way of life, such as today’s war on terror.”
The Philippine envoy pointed to the successes of the joint counterterrorism efforts of the Philippines
and the United States, specifically the ongoing “Oplan Ultimatum” directed against the Abu Sayyaf
Group and the Jemaah Islmiyah in Sulu. Its specific targets are ASG leader Khadaffy Janjalani and two
Indonesian terrorists who were behind the 2002 Bali bombing, namely, Dulmatin and Umar Patek.
Ambassador Gaa said that as of last month, Philippine troops have captured six enemy camps and
have dealt heavy losses on the terrorists. He further said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
needs more military equipment to sustain its headways against the terrorism.
Ambassador Gaa said that the USAID, which is channeling 80% of its assistance to Mindanao, has
been strengthening the economic component of counterterrorism in southern Philippines.
Also describing the bilateral relationship as “robust,” Ambassador Gaa pointed to the growing
Philippine-US trade, to the fact that the US is the country’s largest trading partner, and its biggest
investor. Citing the latest available statistics, he said that Philippine exports to the US amounted to
some $ 5 billion while its imports have been estimated at $ 4 billion. He also noted that many US
companies are outsourcing some of their operations in the Philippines, specifically with the growth in
numbers of call centers, whose manpower needs Manila is having difficulties filling up no because of
the heavy demand.
Ambassador Gaa likewise said that Philippine-US relationship is “mature” because it is no longer
characterized by patronage and dependence; nor could it be described, as what one American diplomat
has said during the bases negotiations, as “cash register diplomacy.” He elaborated our partnership is
now based on mutual recognition of sovereign equality and mutual respect.
However, Ambassador Gaa said that one current challenges in the relationship is the fact that US
investments in the Philippines are comparatively low compared with the huge US investments in China
and the Vietnam..
The envoy said that Philippine political stability is no longer being questioned or doubted. However, the
focus of discussions has been the issue of Charter change. Ambassador Gaa enumerated the three
ways of changing the Constitution, specifically, through constitutional assembly, constitutional
convention, and people’s initiative. He stressed that the dynamics of democracy is now apparent in the
current debates within the country on this matter.
Ambassador Gaa also updated the Asia Society on the status of the $ 21 million grant which the
Philippines received from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). He said that the program to
address corruption and improve revenue generation started to be implemented as far back as two
months ago. The USAID, which administers the grant, has focused on reforming the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and on providing it with the capability to raise more
revenues. (END)
Reference:
Consul Patricia Ann V. Paez
Press and Information Officer
E-mail: pvpaez@aol.com
Tel. No. 202-467-9400
or
E-mail: rppress@verizon.net
Tel. No.: 202-467-9432
Consul Patricia Ann V. Paez
Press and Information Officer
E-mail: pvpaez@aol.com
Tel. No. 202-467-9400
or
E-mail: rppress@verizon.net
Tel. No.: 202-467-9432
Amb. Gaa with Mr. Joe Snyder (on the left), Executive Director of the Asia Society.
Ambassador Gaa (center) with the officers and members of the Asia Society.
