PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said he foresees the future of the Philippines, along with other nations in the Asia-Pacific region, tied to the United States because of strong and historical ties.
The President made the statement during the courtesy call of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III who reaffirmed his country’s commitment to support the modernization of the Philippines’ Armed Forces and efforts to increase the interoperability of Philippine and American troops.
Marcos said the US has been the longest partner and ally of the Philippines and “as we traverse this rather troubled waters, geopolitical waters, economic waters that we are facing, I again put great importance on that partnership, specifically with the United States and all partnerships and alliances that we are able to make with our friends around the world.”
“I have always said, it seems to me that the future of the Philippines and for that matter, the Asia Pacific, will always have to involve the United States simply because those partnerships are so strong and so historically embedded in our common psyches. It can only be an advantage to both our countries,” he added.
The President thanked Austin for his visit which he said provided both countries a chance to exchange ideas on the current geopolitical situation.
“More specifically here in the Asia Pacific region which has become a terribly complicated situation and it is something that we can only navigate properly with the help of our partners and our allies in the international sphere,” Marcos said as he also talked about strengthening the ties between the two countries.
Austin to the strengthening of Philippine-US relations which he said is one of the goals set by President Joe Biden.
He said the US will also continue to support the Philippines in modernizing its defense capabilities and increasing interoperability.
“From defense perspective, we will continue to work together with our great partners and to build and modernize your capabilities as well as increase our interoperability,” he said.
Ties between the United States and the Philippines, a former colony, were soured by the overtures of Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, towards China, and his famous anti-US rhetoric and threats to downgrade their military ties.
Marcos has met with Biden twice since his landslide victory in the elections last year and reiterated he cannot see a future for his country without its longtime treaty ally.
Austin arrived on Tuesday night and visited local troops in Zamboanga City on Wednesday.
Prior to his meeting with the President, he met with National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. He also met Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. after his call in Malacañang. — With Reuters
