Pentagon chief seeks continued maritime cooperation with ASEAN

MANILA, Philippines — US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his ASEAN counterparts discussed views on regional security during informal meetings in Clark, Pampanga.

His spokesperson Dana White said that Mattis relayed his appreciation for the broad range of US-ASEAN security cooperation.

"Secretary Mattis emphasized that we seek to increase the scope and complexity of our exercises, and that we are working with like-minded partners to help build maritime security capacity in the region," White said in a readout.

Mattis also encouraged increased operational cooperation on maritime security challenges in the region, White said.

The Pentagon chief has offered to continue cooperation in maritime domain awareness and information-sharing among his Southeast Asian counterparts.

"Meeting participants also? emphasized the need for continued ASEAN unity to address shared security challenges facing Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific [region]," the Pentagon spokesperson said.

During the meeting, Mattis noted that there is a need to apply greater pressure, both diplomatic and economic, on North Korea following its testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Mattis and the ASEAN defense ministers also discussed how to address the threat posed by returning foreign fighters in the region.

The ministers agreed that there is a need to increase cooperation on counter-terrorism, particularly on the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (also called the Islamic State or ISIS).

Before landing in Clark, Mattis commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines for liberating Marawi City from ISIS-inspired terrorists.

"It was a very tough fight, as you know, in southern Mindanao. And I think the Philippine military sends a very strong message to the terrorists," Mattis told reporters.

READ: US defense chief Mattis praises Philippines progress vs militants