US exempts $336 million for Philippine military despite global aid freeze: Report

Manila: In a striking move amid Washington’s frozen foreign aid, the United States has carved out a crucial $336 million for the modernisation of the Philippines' security forces, a report revealed.

This package is part of the massive $5.3 billion in previously halted US foreign assistance that the Trump administration has now unlocked, according to Reuters.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez greeted the news with optimism. He remained cautious, awaiting formal confirmation from Washington.

“We are pleased with this development. Another significant sign that our strong partnership and alliance with the United States remains intact,” Romualdez told the Philippine News Agency.

Citing official documents obtained, Reuters disclosed that the exemptions had been granted even before US District Judge Amir Ali intervened on February 13, ordering the Trump administration to temporarily lift its funding freeze on programmes in place as of January 19.

The assistance aligns with last year’s pledge by former US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who committed $500 million to modernise the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, France is making waves in the Pacific.

In a historic display of military might, its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle docked in the Philippines, a move French officials say underscores Paris’ commitment to Manila and regional stability.

Aboard the formidable warship, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel declared:

"With the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and the support of our Philippine partners, I'm confident that this visit will pave the way for broader military cooperation between our two countries.”

The French CSG, centreed around Charles de Gaulle, made a strategic stop in Subic Bay and Manila following joint maritime exercises with Filipino forces in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea.

The Charles de Gaulle — flanked by an air-defense destroyer and the auxiliary oil replenishment ship Jacques Chevallier — arrived in Subic Bay on Friday.

Two more multi-mission destroyers followed, docking in Manila a day later.

Fontanel emphasised France’s ongoing commitment to the region.

“France regularly projects military capabilities in the region through deployments and through regular participation in multilateral or even bilateral exercises in the area,” she stated.

She further stressed: “Our presence is a constant reminder of the importance to promote and to protect what unites us all—international law and cooperation.”

Mutual knowledge

Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard, commander of the French Strike Force, was quick to dispel speculation that the deployment was an act of provocation.

“(It) is absolutely not directed to anybody. We are building mutual knowledge, we are building experience on the area, and we are constructing bonds,” he explained.

His message was clear:

The Charles de Gaulle’s presence is part of Operation CLEMENCEAU 25, a bold maneuver demonstrating France’s military reach in strategic regions where tensions are rising and international laws are under threat.

The 260-metre-long aircraft carrier, capable of housing up to 30 Rafale Marine fighter jets, two E-2C Hawkeye surveillance planes, and three helicopters, is the centerpiece of this powerful operation.

In a significant diplomatic move, France has been pushing for a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines—an agreement that could mark a new era of military cooperation.

Fontanel confirmed that France submitted a draft agreement last October and is now waiting for the Philippines to formally begin negotiations.

“It is still on the agenda — We are currently now waiting for the Philippine authorities to come back to us in order to be able to officially open the negotiations,” she said.

Meanwhile, France is also set to participate in Balikatan 2025, the annual US-Philippines joint military exercises — but only as an observer.

“(For) an active participation like last year, it will probably not be possible in 2025 but we are already working on the (2026) activities, so let’s see,” Fontanel hinted, suggesting France’s increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

As military alliances and strategies shift, the Philippines finds itself at the crossroads of global power dynamics, caught between the resurgence of its ties with the US and the growing strategic presence of France in the Pacific.