MANILA, Philippines — United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that the US and the Philippines will continue to “collaboratively confront” the global and regional challenges hounding the two nations.
“I want to reaffirm the longstanding US – Philippines alliance and celebrate our strong people-to-people ties, acknowledging the shared sacrifices that form the foundation of our alliance,” the US official said in his message to mark 125 years since the declaration of Philippine independence on Monday.
The ties between the US and its former colony, Blinken said, have grown across various fields. He particularly cited the countries’ commitment to uphold international peace and stability and invest in the transition to clean energy, among others.
“We have accomplished much together, and I am confident we will continue to collaboratively confront the most pressing regional and global challenges,” Blinken said.
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I send my congratulations to the people of the Philippines as you celebrate your Independence Day on June 12." Read @SecBlinken's message on Philippine National Day: https://t.co/C78eKSSue0 #FriendsPartnersAllies pic.twitter.com/RLqOlI9HMk
— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) June 13, 2023
After Spain’s rule over the Philippines for more than three centuries, the country then became a colony of the US from 1898 until 1946.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. celebrated the Philippine Independence Day on Monday with a call for Filipinos to “assert [their] liberty day by day” amid the challenges the nation faces.
“The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination’ — never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny,” Marcos said in his first Independence Day speech as Chief Executive.
From the time Marcos was elected President last year, there has been a pivot in the Philippine foreign policy as it began restoring its ties with the US.
This shift was made notable after the US and the Philippines drifted apart in the past years during the term of Marcos’ predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.
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