President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and US President Joseph Biden met in Washington on Monday to reaffirm their commitment to strengthen the alliance between Manila and Washington.

During the meeting, Marcos expressed his concern over the escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and cited US’ assistance in maintaining peace and promoting the stability and development of the region.

The President also raised the need to strengthen their partnership and alliance to face the new post-pandemic economy and the geopolitical issues affecting the Philippines.

"Beyond that, there are also issues, geopolitical issues that make the region… the Philippines is, possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now," Marcos said.

“We have many things that are new that need to be assessed and again our role as partners in the world…in our worldview of what we are hoping for the future of peace, not only in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific region but in the whole world,” added.

In response, Biden reassured Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including the South China Sea, and pledged to support the Philippines’ military modernization.

"Our countries not only share strong partnership. We share deep friendship, one that has been enriched by millions of Filipino-Americans and the communities all across the United States," the US president said.

This is the second in-person bilateral meeting between the two leaders, where they agreed to firm up cooperation in priority sectors and their respective visits to the Philippines and the US.