Manalo, Rubio discuss ‘more invested and enduring relationship’ in Munich meet | ABS-CBN
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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
Published Feb 15, 2025 09:36 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 22, 2025 08:44 PM PHT

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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Read More:
United States
Philippines
Marco Rubio
Enrique Manalo
US State Department
Department of Foreign Affairs
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