WASHINGTON, July 22 (KUNA) -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored late Monday the importance of the ironclad United States-Philippines alliance to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
This came during Rubio's meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Washington, DC, ahead of the meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Marcos, said a statement by the State Department.
Secretary Rubio and President Marcos reaffirmed their shared commitment to deterrence and reinforcing freedoms of navigation and overflight in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, it added.
Secretary Rubio and President Marcos discussed efforts to advance the United States' and the Philippines' shared prosperity, including through the Luzon Economic Corridor, by strengthening supply chains and delivering economic growth to both countries.
The Secretary and President Marcos looked forward to maintaining regular high-level engagement between the United States and the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies, particularly ahead of the 80th anniversary of United States-Philippines diplomatic relations in 2026. (end) amm.gta