By Brian Jules Campued
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its bilateral ties with the Philippines, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday.
In a courtesy call with Marcos at the Malacañan Palace, Blinken emphasized that the alliance between the US and the Philippines is “more than rock solid”.
“It’s the absolute priority of President [Joe] Biden, and that’s why he asked me to be here, and I am glad to see you again,” he said.
Blinken also called the upcoming visit of Marcos to the US on April 11 for a trilateral summit with Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida “incredibly promising” as it will open for a new cooperation with the Philippines and Japan.
“That new horizon of cooperation is also incredibly promising. It’s building on the rich foundation between our countries where we have the same priorities, whether it’s on economic development, whether it’s dealing with climate change, with food security, of course, upholding international law,” he added.
According to Malacañang, some of the issues tackled by Marcos and Blinked included efforts to enhance the PH-US alliance, increased cooperation on trade and investment, as well as promoting regional peace and security, defense modernization, and economic cooperation.
Marcos, likewise expressed his gratitude for Blinken’s second visit to the country, adding that it is relevant given “how things are progressing in the rest of the world”.
During an informal dinner with the US delegation, the President said he looks forward to continuing the discussion between the two countries on global issues.
“We are all familiar with the situations that you are having to deal with the world and it is extremely encouraging for the Philippines that despite all of these extremely important issues that you have to attend to that you consider the Philippines important enough to take time from all global–globally important issues to come with us in the Philippines here today,” the President said in his toast remarks. – avds
