President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received a prestigious welcome at the Pentagon on Wednesday, making history as the first foreign head of state to receive full honors under the US President Joseph Biden administration.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin extended a warm welcome to Marcos, expressing the US's commitment to the defense of the Philippines, while also emphasizing the degree of participation by combined military forces of allied nations under the Balikatan Exercises.

"President (Joseph) Biden has made clear our commitment to the defense of the Philippines is ironclad. And let me tell you once again that our Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on our armed forces, coast guard vessels, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific including anywhere in the South China Sea," Austin said.

"So, make no mistake Mr. President, we will always have your back in the South China Sea or elsewhere in the region," he added.

Marcos thanked the US for its unwavering support in maintaining peace and security in the region, calling for continued exchanges between the two nations to meet the new challenges.

"That’s why it is very important that it is continuing… the exchanges that we have started. I look to a very bright future between the Philippines and the United States – a future that is founded on the long experience and as you say, friendship and familial relationship because the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries have been ongoing at every level," said Marcos.

This visit comes amid escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, with the Philippines and the US reaffirming their security alliance.