MEETING AT THE PALACE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. receives United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday (March 19, 2024). Marcos and Blinken discussed the Philippine-US alliance and reaffirmed the two nations’ commitment to enhance economic and defense cooperation. (Photo courtesy of Presidential Photojournalists Association)
MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism that the actions taken by the Philippines and the United States (US) will be successful in lowering the tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
Marcos made the statement during his meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday afternoon.
Marcos thanked Blinken for taking time to visit the Philippines and making a courtesy call, despite the US official’s busy schedule.
“Nonetheless I am happy that [you have] this chance to come by and visit with us and perhaps, it wasn't that ideal with how [things] are progressing with the rest of the world. All of these impact us now, how these things are developing... to any other countries,” he told Blinken.
“I hope that all these efforts we are making are making some success because it is of great importance to us too, as you well know. We have spoken about this before,” Marcos added.
While the recent developments in Indo-Pacific “are somehow toned down,” Marcos said he could not imagine how the easing of tension “[will] be seen in the future."
Marcos did not elaborate on the present challenges the region is currently facing.
Blinken said the US is committed to and focused on dealing with the pressing issues in the Indo-Pacific, adding that its engagement with the Philippines is crucial to work on a number of challenges.
He also emphasized that the alliance between the US and the Philippines is “more than rock solid."
“It’s absolute a priority of [US] President [Joe] Biden, that's why he asked me to leave [to] visit [here],” Blinken said. “Our relationship, I would say is hyperdrive. That is so true, we see it across every domain.”
Blinken also expressed confidence that Marcos’ visit to the US on April 11 for a summit with Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will open an opportunity for a new cooperation with the Philippines and Japan.
“I think that will arise new cooperation. It’s also incredibly promising but it’s building on the very strong foundation of our countries where we have the same priorities, whether it’s on economic development, whether its with climate change, with food security, of course, upholding international law,” he said.
Informal dinner
Marcos later hosted an informal dinner for Blinken at the State Dining Room of Malacañan Palace to express his gratitude to the US official and members of his delegation, saying their visit to the Philippines is “valuable and important to both countries.”
“Our meetings always cover a great deal, great regard, wide scope and as again, this happened in a quick chat that we just have and this is absolutely necessary. It is important that we continue to do that,” Marcos said in his toast remarks during the dinner.
“We are all familiar with the situations that you are having to deal with in the world and it is extremely encouraging for the Philippines that despite all of these extremely important issues that you have to attend to, you consider the Philippines important enough to take time from all of those globally important issues to come with us here in the Philippines today,” he added.
Blinken also thanked Marcos for the warm welcome, stressing that the US values its “stronger” relations with the Philippines to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized the importance of the US’ trilateral summit with the Philippines and Japan, saying the meeting with “like-minded” countries will serve as an avenue to deepen cooperation at a time when such collaboration is crucial.
"And even as we have these other challenges that we have to confront around the world, as I mentioned, our focus, our determination when it comes to the Indo-Pacific and our engagement there, and specifically the relationship between our countries, could not be greater, could not be stronger, could not be more determined," Blinken said. “We have a tremendous need and imperative on as strong as possible partnerships. And we're grateful for the partnership.”
Marcos said such engagements are vital to maintain open channels of communication and cooperation.
The White House announced that Marcos, Biden, and Kishida would hold a trilateral leaders’ summit in the US on April 11 to discuss a broad range of areas, including economic and security cooperation. (PNA)
