Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 3) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his meetings with the United States’ top leaders provided a “very attractive opportunity” for the Philippines to strengthen its ties with one of the most powerful nations.
During a meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday night (Manila Time), Marcos thanked her as she “laid the groundwork” for his meeting with US President Joe Biden.
“I think that has given us the very, very, very attractive opportunity to continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries…in the context of all of the difficulties and complexities, the rising tensions in our region and the world,” the Philippine president said.
“And, once again, we turn to our American partners. You are our only treaty partner in the world,” he added.
On his way to have brunch with Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in Washington D.C., a reporter asked Marcos how concerned he was about China’s “continued provocation in the South China Sea.”
“As concerned as you could possibly be,” Marcos said.
He also noted that it remains “one of the major issues” the Philippines is facing.
READ: Marcos ‘as concerned as you could possibly be’ about China’s provocation in WPS
Pressed if the Philippines’ relations with America’s top leaders would “get you closer to protecting the region,” Marcos said the Philippines continues to build its cooperation with the US, which is known for having a military and economic powerhouse.
At his earlier meeting with Biden, Marcos said the current issues hounding the region make it “possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.”
Amid the tensions in the South China Sea, Marcos said it was “only natural for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world.”
READ: Marcos tells Biden: ‘Only natural for PH to look to US’ amid rising tensions in SCS, Taiwan
For his part, Biden reassured the Philippines of America’s “ironclad commitment” to defend the country in any armed attack.
In a joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed the need to keep the peace and stability over Taiwan, while pressing China to acknowledge the 2016 arbitral ruling backing the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the disputed waters.
Aside from talks on security, the Philippines also clinched some business deals on e-motorcycles and nuclear power.
