MANILA, Philippines — Following a series of threats from the Chinese government about the Philippines’ alliance with the United States, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with US State Secretary Anthony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III in Malacanang on Tuesday.
The officials met ahead of the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) of the Philippines and the US.
Marcos said he was “very happy” with the US officials communicating openly regarding several issues including the West Philippine Sea dispute.
“I am always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the things that we are doing together in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific are continuously examined and reexamined so we are agile in terms of our responses,” he said.
The two US officials likewise thanked Marcos for his reception and condoled with the victims of Typhoon Carina that hit the country last week, adding that the Philippines and the US are “a family.”
“It always feels that way when I’m working with our colleagues. You know, we have common interests, common values, and so I think we’ve done a lot over the last three and a half years to continue to strengthen our alliance,” Austin said.
Blinken and Austin were also scheduled to meet with their Filipino counterparts, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The meeting transpired just two days after Beijing hit the Philippines anew following the rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, part of the disputed waters of China and the Philippines.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saidthe Philippines should stop supplying construction materials at the BRP Sierra Madre, saying that Manila “should honor its commitment” following the agreement with China about the resupply mission.
Lin also slammed the US, saying Washington should not make another move to worsen the situation or undermine maritime stability within the disputed region.
“The US side should not take any more action to fan the flames, stir up trouble, or undermine maritime stability,” Lin said.
