The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said all military engagements with its counterparts from the United States (US) will continue despite Washington’s recent pronouncement pausing foreign assistance. 

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military’s planned activities with its US counterparts remain uninterrupted, including the annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercise. 

“For the side of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we have long-standing partnerships with the US and we continue with our partnership programs moving forward,” Padilla told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday. 

She added, “at this point, sir, in terms of our preparations, it's still business as usual.”

“There's no dialing down at this point,” she further stressed. 

Returning US President Donald Trump earlier ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance, pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with his administration’s foreign policy.

This was followed by the US State Department’s issuance of a “stop-work” order for all existing foreign aid and suspending new foreign assistance worldwide. 

Last year, the US pronounced its allocation of $500 million in foreign military financing (FMF) to the Philippines, contributing to the enhancement of  Manila-Washington security relations and defense collaboration.