US to Bring the 'VERY BEST' Forces in Southeast Asia

As part of the Obama administration's rebalancing strategy, the United States will position its top armed forces capabilities in the Asia Pacific, a ranking military official said.

"American forces are working to have a 'huge impact' in the region's security. We're also gonna ensure that the forces that we have forwarded are the very best of what we could produce, that US can produce. 

We'll put our very best destroyers here, our very best ballistic missile offense here, our very best airplanes here, our very best people here. 

You'll see more US capability. But you'll also see more capability in the security of our allies as well. So this is isn't just about the United States. It's about how we collectively ensure security in this part of the world, how we build an environment for continued prosperity for our children. 

Alongside such maritime tension, the US' Asian allies including the Philippines, will also have a boost in their military strength in the coming years. We will try to provide support to them as they grow in all aspects of what an ASEAN does but security as well. We were looking at assisting in exercises, that type of thing. 

Moreover, the US will assist Southeast Asian nations in terms of their security capabilities and will be more present diplomatically, economically and socially. 

We're on the good path. You'll see us out and about more."

Admiral Samuel Locklear said this amid China's increasing assertiveness in claiming 80 percent of South China Sea, opposing exclusive economic zones of its neighbors including the Philippines.

General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of the US Pacific Air Forces, meanwhile said that the US and the Philippines are discussing a strategy to anticipate future moves by military powers in the region such as China, North Korea and Russia.

"We have many, many of those strategy discussions within the joint force under Admiral Locklear and his family of plans that he has developed," Carlisle said.

He admitted, however, that the ongoing dialogue considers the Philippines' bilateral relationship with China in other aspects besides the territorial row.

"They have a trade with China. They have an economic relationship with China and cultural ties... It requires a lot of discussion on what we can do in peace time to better relationships," he said.