Philippines Lauded as a Valuable US Ally by Biden

May 2, 2023 Philippines Events & Announcements

WASHINGTON D.C. — On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Joe Biden had a one-on-one meeting at the White House, during which both men pledged to further solidify their countries’ cooperation.

The US President told Marcos Jr. during their discussion in the Oval Office that given the geopolitical difficulties facing the world, he could think of no greater ally than the Philippines, with which the US had a “deep friendship.”

“Our nations not only have a close relationship. According to Biden, Marcos and I have a close bond that has been strengthened by the millions of Filipino Americans and American communities nationwide.

Additionally, Biden reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering commitment to the Philippines’ defense, including in the South China Sea, and reaffirmed their ongoing support for the modernization of the Philippine armed forces.

This comes amid widespread concerns over China’s continuous aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the most recent instance of which being the Chinese Coast Guard’s harassment of a Philippine maritime patrol vessel, which led to a close call at the Ayungin Shoal.

Additionally, Biden declared that he would send the Philippines a “first of its kind” presidential trade and investment mission.

For his part, Marcos Jr. emphasized the necessity to develop strategies for fortifying partnerships and alliances in the post-pandemic economy.

In addition, he continued, “there are geopolitical issues that make the region… the Philippines is, perhaps, arguably, the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.”

In light of the current tensions in the South China Sea, the Asia-Pacific, and Indo-Pacific regions, Marcos Jr. stated that it is only natural for the Philippines to “look to its sole treaty partner in the world, to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play.”

We have a lot of brand-new issues that need to be evaluated, and once more, our position as global partners…in our vision of what we hope for the future of peace, not just in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific area, but throughout the entire world, he concluded.

Malacañang said that during the meeting, the two presidents discussed security, education, and other initiatives. High-ranking Philippine and US cabinet officials then held expanded bilateral talks that took place after the meeting.

National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonio Yulo Loyzaga, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Secretary for the Department of Information and Communications Technology Uvan John Uy, Justice Secretary Jesus Crisoin Remulla, Secretary for the Migrant Workers Department Maria Susana “Toots” Ople, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manal were among the Philippine officials present at the meeting.

Following their initial meeting in September of last year in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Biden and Marcos Jr. have now met twice.