FILE PHOTO: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks during a change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines, August 8, 2022. Ezra Acayan/Pool via REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — Saying the partnership is advantageous to both countries, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that the future of the Philippines will be inexorably linked to the US.
Marcos made the statement as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III paid a courtesy visit to Malacañang on Thursday.
“Again, I have always said, it seems to me that the future of the Philippines and for that matter, the Asia Pacific, will always have to involve the United States simply because those partnerships are so strong and so historically embedded in our common psyches,” Marcos said.
“It can only be an advantage to both our countries,” he added.
The chief executive added that he put “great importance” on the country’s partnership with the US and its other allies.
“I would be stating the obvious to say that our longest partner and ally has been the United States and as we traverse these rather troubled waters, geopolitical waters, economic waters that we are facing, I again put great importance on that partnership, specifically with the United States and all partnerships and alliances that we are able to make with our friends around the world,” the President also said.
Austin echoed Marcos’ remarks, saying the administration of Joe Biden is making attempts to further solidify the strong bond between long-term allies.
“You made a number of comments about the strength of our relationship, I echo those comments. We do have a strong relationship and my goal, and certainly President Biden’s goal is to strengthen that relationship in every way possible.
With Austin’s visit, both countries have agreed to four new additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in the country.