The Trump administration has exempted military assistance intended for the modernization of the Philippine military from its foreign aid freeze, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a message to reporters on Monday, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza confirmed that the Philippine government had been notified of the waiver.

"The Philippines has been informed of the waiver issued to a portion of the US foreign military financing for the Philippines," Daza said.

"Both countries are committed to the treaty alliance and to efforts to further strengthen our defense cooperation and interoperability," she added.

Daza noted that the Philippine government will continue to engage with the US on "importance of our bilateral work in supporting our shared goals and priorities."

According to a Reuters report, the Trump administration has authorized the release of $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, including $336 million allocated for the modernization of the Philippine security forces.

Former President Joe Biden’s administration had earlier announced a $500 million grant to support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.