30-7-2024 (MANILA) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, underscoring the importance of frequent bilateral discussions to address the complex maritime issues in the region.
The high-level meeting, a first of its kind hosted by the Philippines, comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, known in the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
President Marcos, addressing the US delegation, emphasised the critical nature of maintaining open lines of communication. “I’m always very pleased to see these channels of dialogue remain accessible,” he remarked. “It allows us to continuously examine and re-evaluate our joint efforts, both in terms of our alliance and within the specific context of our situation in the West Philippine Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. This ongoing assessment ensures we remain nimble in our responses.”
The Philippine leader’s comments reflect the delicate balancing act Manila faces in navigating its relationships with both Washington, a long-standing treaty ally, and Beijing, its largest trading partner. Despite recent diplomatic efforts resulting in a provisional arrangement to ease tensions with China, the Philippines continues to grapple with maritime confrontations in disputed waters.
Secretary Blinken, representing the US diplomatic corps, characterised the engagement as part of a “steady drumbeat of high-level interactions” between the two nations. He emphasised that these discussions encompass a broad spectrum of issues, extending beyond security concerns to include economic opportunities and collaborative ventures.
The timing of the visit raised eyebrows, given the current political climate in the United States. President Marcos noted his surprise at seeing the two secretaries in Manila, alluding to the recent developments in US domestic politics. This reference to Vice President Kamala Harris’s endorsement as the Democratic presidential candidate highlights the global attention on America’s upcoming election and its potential implications for international relations.
