MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, who paid a courtesy call in Malacañang on Tuesday.
In welcoming the two high-level US officials, Marcos expressed his gratitude for the open communication lines between the Philippines and the United States, especially involving the situation in the West Philippine Sea.
“I am always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the all the things that we are doing together in terms of our alliance, in terms of a specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea, in the Indo-Pacific, are continuously examined and re-examined, so we are agile in terms of our responses,” said Marcos.
“I’m a bit surprised considering how interesting your political situation has become back in the States, but I’m glad that you found the time to come and visit with us,” he added.
READ: Meeting with Blinken ‘absolutely necessary’ for PH-US ties – Marcos
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) pay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (C) a courtesy call in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Photo screengrabbed from RTVM
Blinken and Austin are in the country for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue).
Blinken, for his part, described the dialogue as “historic” as it is the first time that the Philippines will be hosting its ministerial meeting with the US.
“I think today is genuinely historic. This is the first time that the Philippines has hosted our two plus two,” said Blinken.
“It’s, I think, really evidence of a steady drumbeat of very high-level engagements between our countries that are covering the full range of issues and opportunities that bring us together, not only security, but also economic, and we’re truly grateful for this partnership,” he added.
READ: US Defense chief says PH more than an ally: We’re family
Meanwhile, Austin highlighted the Philippines-US relationship, again saying the two countries are more than allies: “We’re family, and it always feels that way when I’m working with our colleagues.”
“We have common interests, common values, and so I think we’ve done a lot over the last three and a half years to continue to strengthen our alliance, and we look forward to continuing to work with you and your team to move even further,” he added.
Marcos last met Blinken in March after the US official visited Manila to discuss the strengthening of defense and economic ties between his country and the Philippines.
On the other hand, Marcos last met Austin in April during his visit to the Pentagon.
After meeting with Marcos, Blinken and Austin are expected to meet with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manolo for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue).
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the top US and Philippine government officials are anticipated to talk about further enhancing the two countries’ alliance during the dialogue.