The Philippines is among the recipients of security and defense aid from the United States, following reports the Trump administration has released $5.5 billion from frozen funds.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila will receive $336 million of $500 million foreign military financing approved by the US Congress last year under the former Biden administration.

“We are very pleased with this development after we worked on getting this exemption,” Romualdez said.

“This is another significant sign that our strong partnership and alliance with the United States remains intact with the new Trump administration,” he added.

A $500 million assistance pledged by the former Biden administration last year to shore up the defense capability of the Philippines has received bipartisan support in the US Congress.

“Both countries are committed to the treaty alliance and to efforts to further strengthen our defense cooperation and interoperability. We will continue to engage the US government on the importance of our bilateral work in supporting our shared goals and priorities,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement. DMS