President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with Speaker Martin Romualdez during the Asean Leaders Interface With Representative Of Asean Interpaliamentary Assembly (ASEAN-AIPA) at Lao National Cultural Center in Lao PDR on Oct. 09, 2024.  Revoli S. Cortez, PPA pool

VIENTIANE, Lao PDR — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday lauded the United States for being a “force for peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific,” noting that Washington has been providing “consistent support” in the region.

Marcos Jr. thanked the US for its “reliable and active” presence in Southeast Asia and assured its ally of the Philippines' “continued support” for Washington’s initiatives in the region.

PHOTO: Marcos Jr. arrives in Lao PDR for ASEAN Summits

“Please be assured of the Philippines’ continued support for projects advancing our common interest in the collective peace, stability, and prosperity of our region,” the President said.

“We welcome initiatives by the US to provide a platform and opportunities to exchange views on a diverse range of issues, including topics on emerging technologies, energy transition and climate change, and maritime security, including through the Institute for Rising Leaders (IRL) Fellowship,” he said.

Marcos Jr. gave the statement after US Secretary Antony Blinken slammed China’s “increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions in the South and East China Seas” during the ASEAN-China Summit here.

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“We are concerned about China’s increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions in the South and East China Seas which have injured people and harmed vessels from ASEAN nations, and contradict commitments to peaceful resolution of disputes,” Blinken said during his meeting with Southeast Asian leaders.

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“The US will continue to support freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“We also believe it is important to maintain our shared commitment to protect the Taiwan Strait,” he added.

The United States has consistently participated in joint military exercises in the West Philippine Sea. 

Manila and Washington agreed to expand the number of Philippine military bases, which US troops can access and develop.

Marcos said ASEAN member states “equally value the consistent support of the United States for ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture.”