VIENTIANE, Lao PDR — On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the United States for its role as a “force for peace, stability, and security” in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting Washington’s “consistent support.”
Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude for the US’s “reliable and active” presence in Southeast Asia, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to backing US-led initiatives in the region.
“Please be assured of the Philippines’ continued support for projects advancing our common interest in the collective peace, stability, and prosperity of our region,” the President said.
“We welcome initiatives by the US to provide a platform and opportunities to exchange views on a range of issues, including emerging technologies, energy transition, climate change, and maritime security, through efforts like the Institute for Rising Leaders (IRL) Fellowship,” he added.
Marcos Jr.’s statement followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s criticism of China’s “increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions” in the South and East China Seas during the ASEAN-China Summit.
“We are concerned about China’s increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions in the South and East China Seas, which have harmed vessels and injured people from ASEAN nations, contradicting commitments to peaceful dispute resolution,” Blinken said during the meeting with Southeast Asian leaders.
“The US will continue to support freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific,” Blinken added, while also stressing the importance of safeguarding the Taiwan Strait.
The US has consistently participated in joint military exercises in the West Philippine Sea, and Manila and Washington have agreed to expand the number of Philippine military bases accessible to US forces for development.
Marcos emphasized that ASEAN member nations “equally value the consistent support of the United States for ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture.”