Australian official’s visit key part of response to China actions in WPS — Marcos

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles and his delegation pay a courtesy call to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday welcomed the visit of Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles to the Philippines, saying this will be an “important part” of the response against the recent harassments of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos made the remark during the courtesy call of Marles and his delegation at the Malacañang Palace, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

“The President noted that the visit of Deputy Prime Minister Marles ‘will be an important part of the response’ to the recent acts by the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea,” the PCO said in a statement.

“The President also said the Australian official’s visit will form a stronger alliance with the Philippines’ Indo-Pacific neighbor.

“I truly believe that the future lies in strong alliances and in a united front in promoting again the values that we consider important to our countries,”  Marcos said, as quoted by the PCO.

“You are going now to Southern Philippines to welcome a contingent from Australia. So this is extremely important that we are seeing constantly in consultation, and we are seeing to continuously promote the rule of law and the sovereignty of nations,” he added.

Among those who attended the meeting between Marcos and Marles were Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Anton Lagdameo, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

On Wednesday, Galvez and Marles held a joint press conference in Quezon City, where the former announced that the Philippines and Australia are looking into conducting joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea.

“This visit has demonstrated the steadfast commitment of the Australian and the Philippine government to further deepen our bilateral defense relations between our nations,” Galvez said.

“As Deputy Prime Minister Marles said, Australia’s relationship across the region are founded on history, personal connections and shared interest,” he added.

Both the Philippines and Australian governments are looking forward to elevating their partnership as agreed by the leaders of the two nations in November, the PCO said.

Marles visit came over a week after the Philippine Coast Guard accused a China Coast Guard ship of directing a “military-grade” laser at one of its vessels, causing temporary blindness to its crew.

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