President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines' connections with the United States on Independence Day, which also coincided with Philippine-American Friendship Day on Tuesday.
Marcos described the Philippines-US relationship in a tweet as a "deep connection... built on the foundation of trust and collaboration."
"On this joyous occasion of Philippine-American Friendship Day, we commemorate the deep connection between our nations, built on the foundation of trust and collaboration," he said in his tweet.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On this joyous occasion of Philippine-American Friendship Day, we commemorate the deep connection between our nations, built on the foundation of trust and collaboration. As allies, let us continue to stand together, embracing the values of democracy, freedom, and equality,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/ahF5WTK6cx">pic.twitter.com/ahF5WTK6cx</a>
&mdash; Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) <a href="https://twitter.com/bongbongmarcos/status/1676085067599470593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
Marcos' greeting came as the Philippines maintained close relations with both the US and China despite tensions between the two giants.
Experts had previously noticed Marcos' efforts to repair ties with the US, which had been strained during his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte's government, which sought warmer connections with China and Russia.
Marcos has visited the United States twice since taking office a year ago, both times meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden.
The United States has defined its connections with its former colony, the Philippines, as "ironclad.
Last April, the Philippines granted the US access to four more of its military outposts under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a move that sparked Chinese concern.

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Marcos reaffirms ties with US on PH-US friendship day