The Philippines and the United States are strengthening their defense cooperation in response to continued Chinese provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea, a strategic area of mounting tensions.
During a recent meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, both officials emphasized the importance of the PH-US alliance in ensuring freedom and order in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to step up joint efforts against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea while enhancing their economic cooperation for the benefit of their peoples.
Trilateral cooperation with Japan was also on the agenda, particularly in developing the Luzon Economic Corridor and for U.S. support in the defense sector modernization of the Philippines.
The two parties likewise praised the positive developments, namely, the annual Balikatan joint military exercises, U.S. foreign military sales to the Philippines, and the Joint Vision Statement between the countries’ defense chiefs.
In other developments, Secretary Manalo is scheduled to replace Antonio Lagdameo as the Philippines’ permanent representative to the UN this August.
