Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reaffirmed the enduring strength of the Philippines-United States alliance, saying it has reached 'new heights' and remains a 'beacon of stability' amid growing geopolitical uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum, organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Marcos emphasized the importance of the two nations' evolving strategic partnership, citing enhanced defense cooperation, economic ties, and multilateral engagements as key pillars of the relationship.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos expressed confidence in the continued stability of the Philippines-United States relations, highlighting that the alliance has grown to encompass not only traditional military cooperation but also emerging defense priorities in the Indo-Pacific. He cited increasing joint activities such as multilateral maritime exercises with partners including Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and acknowledged the deepening of defense industrial cooperation with the US, including work on unmanned systems, energetics, and ship and aircraft maintenance and repair.
Marcos described the Indo-Pacific as 'the most consequential region for the world' and reiterated the Philippines' frontline role in maintaining regional peace and security. He stressed the importance of matching security cooperation with economic resilience, warning against complacency in the face of global challenges. He emphasized that strengthening economies is crucial to ensuring the dividends for enduring stability and security.
Economic cooperation with foreign partners like the US is seen as key to regional development. Marcos cited partnerships for major infrastructure and economic projects, such as the development of a 155-km freight railway connecting Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas funded with support from the US Trade and Development Agency. He also pointed to areas ripe for further economic cooperation, including semiconductor supply chain resilience, refining critical minerals, and the development of civil nuclear energy.
Marcos expressed hope that the Manila Strategy Forum would become a leading platform for dialogue on regional security. He reaffirmed the Philippines' role as a steadfast ally of the US and a proactive player in shaping a peaceful and stable regional order.
