Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and Co-Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus, met Thursday with His Excellency Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the United States, to discuss the contribution of Filipino veterans to U.S. security and the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance for stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Also attending the meeting were Pio Batino, Under Secretary for Defense, Emmanuel T. Bautista, Undersecretary and Former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Eduardo Oban, Undersecretary and Former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“As China’s behavior continues to undermine stability in Asia, the U.S.-Philippine alliance remains a bedrock of security in the region,” Congressman Forbes said. “As Ambassador Cuisia and I have discussed, not only has the alliance between Washington and Manila helped guarantee peace in Asia for over sixty years, Filipino veterans have played an indispensable role in preserving freedom for both our countries while Filipino-Americans have contributed so much to our communities here in the U.S. In the years ahead, I have every confidence that this decades-old partnership will only strengthen.”
Congressman Forbes’ work on behalf of the U.S.-Philippine alliance includes:
- • Co-sponsored the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act in the 114th Congress to award a single gold medal collectively to Filipino veterans of World War II in recognition of their heroic contributions to Allied victory.
- • Introduced the Asia-Pacific Region Priority Act in the 113th Congress, including language recognizing the Philippines as “at the heart of the United States policy and engagement in the area.”
- • Called on U.S. allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific to join the U.S. in conducting freedom of navigation operations near China’s artificial features in the South China Sea, which directly threatens the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- • Delivered keynote address on protecting regional stability in the South China Sea during continued Chinese aggression at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Fifth Annual South China Sea Conference in July 2015.
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