MANILA – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his condolences for those in the Philippines who have died or been displaced due to the effects of Typhoon Gaemi, locally called Typhoon Carina, and the southwest monsoon which resulted in heavy flooding in most parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The message was extended by Blinken via phone call to Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo.

In a press statement released by the U.S. State Department, Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to provide assistance for the victims of said flooding.

“Secretary Blinken further shared condolences for those in the Philippines who have died or been displaced as a result of Typhoon Gaemi and recent monsoon-related flooding. The Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to provide assistance,” Miller said in a statement.

Earlier, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson posted on her X account that the U.S. Embassy team is working closely with Philippine government agencies and is already providing assistance.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all #FriendsPartnersAllies affected by the flooding and other severe effects caused by #CarinaPH. The U.S. Embassy team is working closely with PH government agencies and is already providing assistance. Stay safe, everyone,” Carlson posted on X.

The Embassy did not give details on what assistance the U.S. is currently providing for victims of floods in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Meanwhile, Miller confirmed that Blinken and Manalo discussed the upcoming 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. in Manila next week.

Secretary Blinken and Foreign Secretary Manalo reiterated the importance of the United States-Philippines Alliance and spoke about shared priorities both in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, Miller said.

Blinken and Austin will visit the Philippines for the upcoming Philippines – U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, also called 2 + 2 Dialogue, set to happen on July 30, 2024.

According to the statement, Manalo and Teodoro will host the two officials, and that the four Secretaries are expected to discuss how to further enhance the two countries’ commitment to the PH-U.S. alliance.

“During this year’s 2+2 Dialogue, the four Secretaries are expected to discuss how to further enhance our two countries’ commitment to the PH - U.S. alliance while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity, and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges,” the statement read.

The third iteration of the 2+2 dialogue was held in Washington, D.C. last April 2023 and concluded with a joint statement that “reaffirmed full support for international law, modernizing shared defense capabilities of the alliance, advancing economic and environmental security, and cultivating the vibrant and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries,” the DFA stated.