PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to continue working with the United States in strengthening the two countries’ defense capabilities and in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The President, in welcoming American Senators Roger Wicker and Deb Fischer and some members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee Congressional Delegation in Malacañang, also thanked the US government for its continued support, especially in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“We, of course, are greatly appreciative of all the support that the United States has given us in the face of all the challenges that we in the Philippines are facing, and the continuing support that you have given us with regard to the modernization of our armed forces, as part of our response to those challenges that we are facing,” he said.
“We hope to continue working with you to an even greater extent. And the Philippines is very willing and very open to any proposals, any suggestions, any ideas that you might have for us to improve the situation here,” he added.
The President reiterated the Philippines is committed to continue working with other like-minded nations, aside from the US which he said is the Philippines’ oldest and closest partner.
“We, of course, would like to do together, but not only bilateral between the US and the Philippines, but also with our multilateral arrangements that we have made around the region and even in faraway areas,” Marcos said.
Wicker described the Philippines as one of the US’ most important and closest bilateral relations.
He thanked Marcos for receiving a “small but very supportive delegation of senators.”
He said their delegation has learned much during their two-day visit and interaction with Philippine officials, including Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez.
Among the Philippine officials who attended the meeting were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
