MANILA, April 12 -- House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday expressed hope that the historic trilateral summit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., United States President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would help accelerate the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and provide Manila with a credible defense posture in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"I am optimistic that the discussions between President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Marcos Jr. will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in advancing our defense capabilities and ensuring regional security and stability," Romualdez said in a statement.

"The assistance and security cooperation with the U...