Maritime security in the South China Sea took center stage during a recent phone call between Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and US Vice President Kamala Harris, as the two leaders highlighted the critical role of their nations’ alliance in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
President Marcos expressed optimism about sustaining the dynamic partnership between the two nations, even amid a US leadership transition, highlighting significant progress 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,” President Marcos said.
Vice President Harris thanked Marcos for their close working relationship over the past two and a half years, which included six meetings in Manila, Washington DC, Jakarta, and San Francisco.
Harris assured bipartisan support within 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 South China Sea, which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, where provocations from China remain a persistent challenge.
Harris reaffirmed the United States’ 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, the highest-ranking visit by a US official to the Philippines, and reiterated support for the communities she met there, including women in the fishing community of Tagburos and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Trilateral cooperation with Japan was also highlighted as a cornerstone of 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 and sole 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.
Formal diplomatic ties between the US and the Philippines date back to 1946, with the relationship anchored by shared democratic values and mutual defense agreements.
Earlier this week, The Philippines, the United States, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen economic, maritime, and technological cooperation during a joint phone call on Monday between President 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 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. – With Rachelle Tonelada