Marcos to discuss military cooperation deals with Biden in 2nd US trip amid WPS tension

FILE PHOTO: Bilateral talks between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and US President Joe Biden.

MANILA, Philippines — As he expressed concern on the growing tension in the Southeast Asian region, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said he would discuss and reexamine military cooperation agreements with his US counterpart Joe Biden in his visit to Washington D.C. next month.

Marcos is set to visit the US from April 30 to May 4, his second travel to the country since he assumed office last year.

The President said he and Biden will look at how military cooperation between the US and the Philippines could evolve in the face of the tense situation in the region spawned by the Taiwan issue.

“Titingnan din ‘yung ating VFA and the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty) with the US. We have to evolve it. Kailangan ina-adjust adjust natin yan dahil may pagbabago rin sa sitwasyon na hinaharap natin sa South China Sea sa gitna ng mga pangyayari sa Taiwan, sa North Korea, lahat ito na medyo umiinit ang sitwasyon dito sa atin,” he added.

(We will also look into the VFA and the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty) with the US because we have to evolve it. We have to adjust because there are changes in the situation we are facing in the South China Sea, in the midst of what is happening in Taiwan and North Korea. The situation is heating up in the region.)

Marcos said they would discuss possible military cooperation and partnership with the US and what the Philippines can do to “lessen the rhetoric.”

“Dahil ngayon medyo mabibigat na ‘yung usapan, medyo nagkakabitawan na ng maaanghang na salita. Siyemre inaalala natin ‘yan and the US has always been our partner in terms of the special relationship between the PH and the US,” he said.

(Right now, the situation is heating up. Nations have been releasing strong statements. Of course, we are concerned about that and the US has always been our partner.)

Marcos and Biden will also look at cooperation between the two nations in combating climate change.

“Liliwanagin natin uli ang mga treaty agreement sa gitna ng Pilipinas at Amerika. Ang titingnan, dahil maraming pagbabago, ay ‘yung climate change. Magpapatulong tayo kung ano ba ‘yung pwedeng gawin, ano bang strategy na pwedeng gagawin,” the President said.

(We will clarify our treaty agreements with the US. We will also look at climate change since there are many changes in the situation. We will ask for help in what we can do or what strategies we can undertake.)

JMS/abc