A high-ranking US delegation led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin is set to meet with President Marcos next week to bolster the two countries’ robust alliance and address shared regional concerns, especially amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The US officials, arriving on July 30, will also participate in the first US-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with their Philippine counterparts, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
The meetings will focus on reaffirming the shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, upholding international law, and deepening collaboration on various challenges.
Blinken’s visit to the Philippines is part of a broader tour of the Indo-Pacific region, which also includes stops in Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Mongolia.
Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink underscored the importance of partnerships in navigating current geopolitical challenges.
“During this year’s 2+2 Dialogue, the four Secretaries are expected to discuss how to further enhance our two countries’ ironclad commitment to this alliance while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity, and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges,” the US embassy said.
Kritenbrink reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to support its Filipino allies in upholding “support of international law, respect for international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the maintenance of the status quo at Ayungin Shoal.”
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, for his part, urged China to accept the declaration of President Marcos the West Philippine Sea in his third State of the Nation Address on Monday.
He lauded Mr. Marcos’ statement that the Philippines cannot yield or waver on the WPS issue, and that no country in the world can accept another nation’s extension of its territory.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, on the other hand, welcomed the provisional arrangement between Manila and Beijing on resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
Estrada, chairperson of the Senate Defense Committee, also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to give additional information and details on the said agreement.
