Ensuring security and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea took center stage in the phone call between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US Vice President Kamala Harris late Tuesday evening [Philippine time], highlighting the crucial role the two nations’ alliances play in maintaining regional stability.
Mr. Marcos also expressed optimism about sustaining the dynamic partnership between the two nations even as the Biden administration bows out, highlighting significant progress made in economic, diplomatic, and defense collaboration
“The progress we have made is terribly encouraging, and we just hope to build on that and continue to work on what we have begun and to stand for our shared values and the rule of international law,” he said.
For her part, Harris thanked the Philippine leader for working closely with the outgoing U.S. administration in a collaboration that included six high-level meetings held in Manila, Washington, San Francisco, and Jakarta.
Harris assured bipartisan support within the U.S. Congress for strengthening ties with the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections and the alliance’s role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
She also emphasized the importance of defending international norms in the region’s waters, where provocations from China remain a persistent challenge.
Harris reaffirmed her country’s commitment to standing with the Philippines and emphasized the enduring obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
She also recalled her historic 2022 visit to Palawan and reiterated support for the communities she met there, including women in the fishing community of Tagburos and the Philippine Coast Guard.
During the phone call, the two leaders also agreed on the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan in establishing regional security.
Harris referenced the momentum from the first leader-level trilateral meeting in Jakarta in 2023 as a vital step toward deepening economic collaboration and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The leaders reviewed key accomplishments under the Biden-Harris administration, including initiatives to enhance cooperation in climate action, clean energy, technology, semiconductor supply chains, maritime security, and inclusive economic growth.
The US is the Philippines’ oldest treaty ally. Bilateral defense and security cooperation, governed by the MDT, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and EDCA, remains the cornerstone of PH-US relations.
On Monday, the Philippines, the US and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic, maritime, and technological cooperation during a trilateral phone call between Mr. Marcos, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
The three leaders emphasized the importance of their partnership in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific amid regional challenges, including disputes in the South China Sea.
During the conference call, the leaders highlighted progress made since adopting the Trilateral Joint Vision Statement in April 2024, focusing on maritime security, economic resilience, and clean energy.