MANILA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A senior US State Department official Monday was here to brief the Philippine authorities on US global defense posture.

    Lincoln Bloomfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs, said he had discussed the "worldwide initiative to readjust the footprints of the US forces around the world" with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert.

    "We have to talk to our allies first and get their reaction before any decision was made," Bloomfield said.

    Philippine and American officials in Manila noted that Bloomfield's one-day consultation is related to the reported US plan to return its military bases here to the host country.

    Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Ariel Abadilla said the return of the US bases is not partof the meeting's agenda, but adding that they discussed "certain eventualities" and cooperation on fight against terrorism.

    "This (visit) is in accordance with their mandate from Bush on the need for the re-alignment of US forces to adjust to the needs of the times. Being allies, there are certain eventualities, we discussed how we can cooperate in fields like terrorism," Abadillasaid.

    In a statement last November, US President George W. Bush announced that the United State would intensify its discussion with Asian and European allies over the global posture of US forces.

    Consultations will be made in the context of the Joint Defense Assessment made by the United States and Philippine defense and military officials, which was adopted during Bush's state here on Oct. 18, 2003, it said. Enditem