President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on the United States to sustain its presence and leadership in the Indo-Pacific, warning that regional peace and stability are under threat amid persistent tensions in the South China Sea.
Speaking at the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum in Pasay City, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines’ alliance with Washington “remains a beacon of stability” and will continue to progress as both nations face shared challenges.
“The place of the United States is here with us in the Indo-Pacific,” President Marcos said.
“It will be crucial to the free and open nature of our region that your vigor, inventiveness, and resilience continue to play a leading role in nurturing a strong and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” he added.
The president outlined three key points in defining Manila’s relations with Washington, upholding the rule of law and security, pursuing joint economic security alongside mutual defense, and expanding trilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The president cited ongoing harassment of Philippine vessels and fisherfolk in the South China Sea as the “most significant threat” to peace in the region.
He thanked the US for supporting the Philippines in maritime domain awareness and security, highlighting recent defense industrial cooperation and joint maritime exercises with allies such as Japan, Australia, and Canada.
Economic resilience, President Marcos stressed, must complement defense ties.
He pointed to a U.S.-funded freight railway project linking Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas, and flagged opportunities for cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and nuclear power.
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“As Friends, Partners, and Allies, we work not only toward common goals as governments, but towards a brighter future for our peoples,” he said.
President Marcos also looked ahead to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, vowing to showcase the bloc’s “significant achievements and potential” to the world, including US President Donald Trump, who began his second term earlier this year.
