President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., United States President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (AFP photos)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to discuss the South China Sea dispute with United States President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their trilateral discussion in Washington on April 11.
In an ambush interview on Thursday, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that the upcoming visit is a follow up on Biden and Marcos’ last meeting in 2023.
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Asked if the South China Sea issue will be brought up, Año said “yes.”
“Kasama sa pag-uusapan yung South China Sea issue,” said Año.
(The South China Sea issue is included in the discussions.)
Año said that he has spoken with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan about the upcoming visit.
“Of course, NSA Jake Sullivan on behalf of the US government assured us of the iron-clad commitment of their government to help and support us especially if, for example, there is going to be a need for the activation of the MDT (mutual defense treaty),” said Año.