Mr Marcos, in the first White House visit by a Philippine leader in 10 years, stressed the importance of the US as his country's sole treaty ally in a region with "arguably the most complex geopolitical situation in the world today".
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pose for a photo with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos at the White House in Washington, US on May 1, 2023. Photo: Reuters
The trip marks a major turning point in US-Philippine relations as both countries have concerns in the region. US officials said the two leaders would agree on new principles for stronger military cooperation, as well as increased economic cooperation. “The United States remains committed to the defense of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea,” Biden told Marcos in the Oval Office.
This means any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific , including in the South China Sea, will trigger US mutual defense commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, a joint statement said.
The Philippines recently agreed to allow the United States access to four more of its military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, but the two sides have not said what US assets will be stationed at those bases.
The joint statement said the leaders "affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to global security and prosperity".
Under former President Rodrigo Duterte, Mr Marcos' predecessor, the Philippines' relations with the US deteriorated and the Philippines built closer ties with China.
US officials said the new cooperation details focus on military coordination across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace, while the US administration will also transfer three C-130 aircraft and look to send more patrol boats to the Philippines.
The summit is the centerpiece of President Marcos’ four-day visit to the United States that begins Sunday. He is seeking friendly relations with both the United States and China, which are keen to strengthen their influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The joint statement also said Mr. Biden will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines to increase investment in the clean energy transition, minerals and food security.
The two countries will also co-host the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila, a key US trade event in the region. The statement also said the two countries look forward to establishing trilateral cooperation with Japan and Australia.
Hoang Anh (according to AFP, Reuters, CNA)
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