Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and US Embassy Chargé d’affaires John C. Law have signed an agreement for cooperation on aeronautical and maritime search and rescue between the Philippines and the United States.

The Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (AMSAR) Agreement was signed last July 30 and provides delimitations on the search and rescue regions of the Philippines and the United States.

“It aims to foster stronger bilateral cooperation in the field of maritime and aeronautical search and rescue and enhances both countries’ effectiveness in assisting persons, vessels, aircraft or other craft in distress,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with support from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the National Coast Watch Center, and the Department of National Defense, negotiated the AMSAR agreement from 25 to 26 September 2018.

“The signing of the agreement stands as proof of the Philippines’ commitment to upholding its obligations under international conventions and treaties,” the DFA said.

“At the same time, it will help boost the Philippines’ capability to conduct search and rescue operations and save lives,” the agency added.

The signing was witnessed by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who was in Manila for a visit, and Vice Admiral Eduardo D. Fabricante of the Philippine Coast Guard. It is another milestone in PH-US bilateral relations which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year.