Phl, US step up alliance as China threat looms

Phl determined to assert sovereign rights

- AP, Reuters, Pia Lee-Brago

The Biden administration on Friday assured the Philippines anew that the US commitment to the country's defense is steadfast amid increasing concerns about provocative Chinese actions in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

A day after US President Joe Biden convened a trilateral summit involving himself, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Marcos, the US and Philippine foreign and defense ministers and national security advisers met to discuss strategic and military issues.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan hosted their Philippine counterparts at the State Department.

"Today's meeting reflects the growing and deepening cooperation between our countries on a broad array of issues and of course our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea," Blinken said in brief opening remarks.

"We very much welcome this opportunity to pursue that cooperation, that collaboration and of course we stand with the Philippines in our iron-clad defense commitments, including the Mutual Defense Treaty," Blinken added.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo echoed those remarks.

"We attach a lot of importance to this meeting, especially in light of recent developments in the South China Sea, especially China's escalation of its harassment," he said. "We are determined to assert our sovereign rights, especially within our exclusive economic zone." Austin later hosted Marcos at the Pentagon, where they discussed ways to deepen military cooperation, including by increasing the frequency of joint patrols in the South China Sea.

Austin noted that the Pentagon's budget request for 2025 includes $128 million for 36 projects at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, which would more than double the amount it has invested since the program began 10 years ago.