Manalo, Rubio discuss ‘more invested and enduring relationship’ in Munich meet | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

Manalo, Rubio discuss ‘more invested and enduring relationship’ in Munich meet

Manalo, Rubio discuss ‘more invested and enduring relationship’ in Munich meet

Jonathan de Santos,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Feb 22, 2025 08:44 PM PHT

Clipboard

Handout photo, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

MANILA — The US wants "an even more invested and enduring relationship" with the Philippines, its Department of State said Saturday, citing a meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US State Secretary Marco Rubio in Munich.

According to a readout provided by department spokesperon Tammy Bruce, Manalo and Rubio met at the Munich Security Conference, the annual meeting in Germany on international security issues.

"Secretary Rubio not only reaffirmed US commitment to the United States-Philippines Alliance, but noted his enthusiasm for building an even more invested and enduring relationship," Bruce said.

The meeting comes amid a shakeup caused by a freeze on US foreign aid that has affected government and civil society programs — especially on HIV and AIDS — in the Philippines, an attempt by the Donald Trump administration to cut government staff, and the continuing presence of People's Republic of China ships in the West Philippine Sea.

ADVERTISEMENT

The US has reiterated its "ironclad commitment" to the Philippines, with which it has a mutual defense treaty and visiting forces agreement, and Philippine officials do not expect that commitment to change.

Bruce said Manalo and Rubio discussed working together "on addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea" as well as increasing economic cooperation on infrastructure, minerals, IT and energy.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.