DNI : United States promised to improve the intelligence capabilities of the Philippines in the South China Sea

United States promised to improve the intelligence capabilities of the Philippines in the South China Sea, where tensions with China increased claims regarding the disputed territory, the Philippine government official said on Saturday. The promise was disclosed after the United States, worried by the situation in the South China Sea, said Thursday it is ready to provide military hardware to modernize its close ally, but impoverished. U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper suggested that promise during a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in Washington, AFP reported. 

Del Rosario was in the U.S. for assistance to the Philippine military that military equipment is inadequate. "U.S. officials promised to improve the delivery of DNI to Philippine intelligence reports to enhance maritime preparedness Manila in the West Philippine Sea," a statement said the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Clapper said "we will make every effort that can we can do to help" as he expressed dismay over recent events in the South China Sea. "West Philippine Sea" is the name given the Philippine government for the South China Sea to further emphasize its claim on the part of the area. 

Del Rosario said he was "exploring the options" that would allow the Philippines to obtain a newer military equipment at low prices. But he did not say about this option. After his meeting Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the del Rosario that his government will speed up military assistance to enhance the ability of the Philippines. 

"We decided and promised to support the defense of the Philippines," Clinton told a joint news conference. The Philippines has tried to modernize its military after a series of incidents with China in the South China Sea, particularly in the Spratlys, a group of islands supposedly rich in mineral resources. 

But a spokesman for Philippine President Benigno Aquino said the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines do not agitate China. "We renew the commitment of both countries to an environment of peace and reaffirm our desire for a multilateral approach to solve problems," said spokesman Abuigail Valte in Manila. 

"It was just a confirmation of our commitment to peace and stability in the region." Apart from China and the Philippines also claim all or part of the South China Sea including the Spratly islands in the South China Sea that are Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.