Manila, Safar 05, 1437, November 17, 2015, SPA -- US President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced 250 million dollars in maritime security assistance for South-East Asian allies ahead of an international economic summit overshadowed by disputes in the South China Sea, dpa reported. Obama spoke aboard the Philippine Navy's flagship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, docked off Manila Bay, just across from the main venue of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit. As part of the aid, to be given over the next two years, the United States would "transfer two additional ships to the Philippine Navy, a research vessel to help map its territorial waters and another US coast guard cutter," Obama said. "This is part of our larger plan to in crease maritime security assistance to our allies and partners across the region," he added. --SPA 12:18 LOCAL TIME 09:18 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w