MANILA, Philippines – The United States reiterated its “unwavering commitments” under the Mutual Defense Treaty and its bilateral relationship with the Philippines, saying it is committed to working alongside the country as its friend, partner and ally.
In a statement released by the U.S. State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a message of “warmest congratulations” to the people of the Philippines on its 127th Independence Day.
“The steadfast friendship between the United States and the Philippines is rooted in our long history, marked this year by the 80th anniversary of our shared sacrifice that led to victory in World War II,” Rubio said.
“Today, common interests, shared democratic values, mutual economic benefit, and bedrock people-to-people ties reaffirm our bilateral relations,” Rubio added.
He also added the recent strides in security collaboration and energy, among many other areas, reflect the mutual priority placed on enhancing US-Philippines relationship.
Rubio also mentioned that the United States remains steadfast in its commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“As we work together to uphold international law in the South China Sea, the United States remains unwavering in its ironclad commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty. We are committed to working alongside the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies to achieve our shared goals of peace, security, and prosperity,” Rubio emphasized.
Rubio and Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique A. Manalo met earlier on Tuesday, as both sides reiterated its commitment to deepening cooperation on addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, as well as increase economic cooperation, particularly through the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated.
In a readout provided by the Office of the Spokesperson of the U.S State Department, Bruce mentioned that the two officials met in Washington, D.C. to “underscore the U.S.-Philippines Alliance’s vital role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
According to the DFA, Manalo met with Rubio to discuss “wide-ranging issues under the Philippines-U.S. partnership.”
On the economic front, the Secretaries looked forward to the positive conclusion of high-level talks between Philippine and U.S. economic managers on the U.S.’s reciprocal tariffs. They also underscored the importance of stronger economic relations in building a more enduring Philippines-U.S. alliance, and promoting overall security, the DFA stated.
Meanwhile, the Secretaries reaffirmed the importance of continued defense and security cooperation, including through support for the Philippines’ defense modernization efforts.
According to the DFA, the officials cited recent positive developments, including the Joint Vision Statement of the Philippine and U.S. Defense Secretaries on building our defense industrial cooperation, U.S. offers of foreign military sales to meet Philippine needs, and the conduct of the latest Balikatan exercises.
The meeting follows up on engagements of the two Secretaries early in the current U.S. administration, including a phone call in January and a meeting during the Munich Security Conference in March, the DFA mentioned.
Manalo was in the United States as part of his working visit.
