President Biden hosted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on Monday amid heightened tensions with China and told him that the US commitment to defending the Philippines is “ironclad.”
In comments ahead of a meeting with Marcos, Biden said the US “remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including the South China Sea, and we’re going to continue to support the Philippines’ military modernization goals.”
Marcos told Biden that the Philippines was located in “arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.”
“And so, it is only natural that — for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions that we see now around the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions,” the Philippine leader added.
Tensions are soaring in the South China Sea, where China, the Philippines, and several other countries have overlapping claims. A recent encounter between a Chinese ship and a Philippine vessel almost resulted in a collision, causing the US to remind China the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to Philippine boats.
According to the White House, Biden underscored that “an armed attack in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard, would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.”
Marcos’ visit to Washington comes after Washington and Manila signed a deal to expand the US military presence in the Philippines by giving US forces access to four more bases. The long-time treaty allies also just concluded their largest-ever joint military exercises, which included drills on the Philippines’ northern islands south of Taiwan and live-fire exercises in the South China Sea.
On Monday, Biden and Marcos agreed to take other steps to strengthen the military alliance. According to the White House, the US will transfer military equipment to the Philippines’ armed forces, including “two Island-class patrol vessels, two Protector-class patrol vessels, and three C-130H aircraft.”
The White House said the two countries have also adopted “Bilateral Defense Guidelines that institutionalize key bilateral priorities, mechanisms, and processes to deepen alliance cooperation and interoperability across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.”
The US and the Philippines will also take steps to boost economic cooperation. Marcos’ efforts to strengthen ties with the US breaks from the policies of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who at one point wanted to kick US forces out of his country.
What we have learned in physical science class is that if you wear an Iron clad it is heavy enough that no matter how hard you swim, you will eventually sink.
“what we learned in physical science…”
9/11 = “hold my beer”
what we learned prior to 9/11 – “We think so” – Maddie Albright in answer to the question whether 500,000 dead Iraqi kids was worth it.
I heard about being stationed in the Philippines. Expect that supplies won’t arrive on time – could be several days late – and you have to check everything, because there are always mistakes. There are constant irritations like things in the boxes not being in the place that they should, boxes are wet like they’ve been standing in a puddle, and so on.
It is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, so laws about not smoking in the workplace aren’t followed because inspectors can be bribed. Vitamins on the shelves are fake, but people buy them because they are cheaper, so the better brands struggle or just aren’t in the store. Eventually people wise up to the fake vitamins, so they disappear but come back some time later under a new name. “You have to be an expert on everything and you’ll still get fooled.” Same as what Chinese students have said about China.
When you go to a bookstore the books in the shelves aren’t in alphabetical order – the owner couldn’t be bothered. Traffic is like they just learned to drive, with no respect for others. Thick bundles of cables hang like a curse over every street, never buried in the ground. People walk around with those cables over them every day and everyone seems to think, “that’s just the way it is,” same as with the electricity going out and the internet being turned off several times a week.
Hmmm Taiwanese r actually smart enough not to be the Ukraine for China so us is trying to make Philippines the new Ukraine. The leader who benefitted from the looting of Philippines by his father is making his own country a pawn for a power that abandoned it’s allies in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Then, he should have a photo shot of him in a tank, like Dukakis, or straddling a ICBM like Pickens. That will get us to rally around the idea. YeeHaw!
Or George the Dumb Junior in that Flight Jacket on the Carrier with “mission accomplished” in the background.
The Philippines should realize this means they are in trouble.
I am thinking of the time Bush Sr. said he was 100% behind some nominee, and the commentary immediately said it would be withdrawn within days. It was.
Such a boasting promise is cover for a stab in the back. Expect it.
Then again, Marcos Jr. knows all about that, and is doubtless ready, which is behind his trips to China.
The US must be giving him a fortune, like they did to Imelda and Ferd
We need a President who will tear up all war guarantees. No wonder we are always at war!
Most likely just senility.
Poor Bye-done has got his hands full: playing on the world stage as banks begin collapsing… Maybe heading for DEPRESSION?………….. It seems to me that he could almost use a WAR?…Quick little jump start to the economy?…
Not so. Not this time. Once again the Fed will bail out the banks, leave us stranded, and, ignore the sucking sound of the MIC sucking money out of the economy.
Hi Donna
Caitlin Johnstone recently published a column titled “You’re Not Deficient, You’re Just Ruled by Assholes”.
Hubs and I liked it so much that we’re getting that slogan printed on t-shirts 😁
Hi Donna
Caitlin Johnstone recently published a column titled “You’re Not Deficient, You’re Just Ruled by Assholes”.
Hubs and I liked it so much that we’re getting that slogan printed on t-shirts 😁
How much did Jr. get for his cooperation? You know that gov. there lives on bribes and other graft (same as most others, US included).
Wish US leadership would stop looking for trouble.
Biden announces to the entire world that his suit jacket is light grey.
I’d hope someone other than Joe, talked to Marcos.
If it was just Joe, I’d call China and see if they wanted to talk.
If that 6 hour day (with a noon cap) is true then he really is getting incapacitated and those promises he read are not something to be counted on.