Manila, Feb. 18 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it supports any initiative that would enhance its defensive capabilities and interoperability as it proceeds with its modernization program.

"The AFP initiatives that enhance our defense capability, interoperability, and readiness in accordance with existing agreements and Philippine laws," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters.

This comes in the wake of the Feb. 16 Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue where both sides underscored their "unwavering commitment to uphold a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo Pacific."

Aside from this, the two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Tre...