PH-US RELATIONS MORE THAN ROCK SOLID – BLINKEN

THE ties between the Philippines and the United States is a priority of US President Joe Biden.

This was the statement made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Tuesday at the Malacañan Palace, where he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the bilateral ties between the Philippines and the US.

“So important to us is even us we’re dealing with those challenges, our focus, our engagement, our commitment to the Indo-Pacific are at large, and to the relationship, the alliance between the United States and the Philippines, in particular, is more than rock solid,” Blinken said.

“It’s absolute priority of President Biden, and that’s why he asked me to be here, and I am glad to see you again,” he added.

For his part, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he is also happy to meet Blinken in the Philippines, which is his second visit to the country.

He added that Blinken’s visit is much welcome amid “how things are progressing in the rest of the world.”

Blinken noted that US President Joe Biden sent him to Manila to reaffirm the alliances between the Philippines and the US as he emphasized that the relationship of the two countries is something that is with great importance to the US.

Blinken also cited the upcoming visit of President Marcos to the US next month for the scheduled trilateral meetings with President Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“Our relationship, between the Philippines and the United States is in high – it’s something, that’s with great importance too and now we have your upcoming visit to Washington, to see President Biden also to have a trilateral meeting with President, Prime Minister Kishida,” Blinken said.

He added that the “new horizon of cooperation” between the Philippines, Japan and the US “is also incredibly promising” as it is “building on the reach foundation” between the three countries. He emphasized that the new cooperation will deal with the countries’ economic development, climate change, food security and the “upholding international law.”

President Marcos hosted a dinner for Blinken and the rest of the US delegation at the Malacañang Palace after the courtesy call.