Defense Secretary Ash Carter said recent comments by the Philippine President comparing himself positively to Adolf Hitler are “deeply troubling,” however the US will still focus on maintaining a strong partnership with that country. Speaking during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations informal meeting Sept. 30 in Hawaii, Carter said the recent comments by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, including others focused on ending joint exercises with the US, were not discussed at the ASEAN meetings. However, he said he had a “very positive” meeting with Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana were “very good” focused on continuing ongoing operations. Duterte on Sept. 30 said he would be happy to slaughter three million drug addicts in his country, and compared that to Hitler’s genocide in World War II. The alliance between the two countries has “been in existence and served the interests of our nations for many years now,” he said. The US military, especially USAF, has deep ties to the Philippines. Last week, two C-130s and 120 airmen from Yokota AB, Japan, deployed to the country as part of the military’s ongoing air contingent to the Philippines.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
