Biden reassures Marcos amid China fears. U.S. officials said President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would sign new military cooperation rules on Monday, highlighting a year-long tie turnaround.
The new instructions emphasize military collaboration across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace, and the government will transfer three C-130 planes and seek more patrol boats.
In a press briefing, officials said Biden would reaffirm the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which requires the U.S. to defend the Philippine military if attacked.
Marcos’ four-day U.S. tour began Sunday and included the meeting.
Marcos, who became president last year, has sought good relations with the U.S. and China, competing for Asia-Pacific power.
Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, severely cut ties with the U.S. and became closer to China.
Many Filipinos are angered by China’s actions in the South China Sea, particularly harassing Philippine ships and fishermen in areas both nations claim.
Recent China skepticism has grown.
A U.S. official called Beijing’s envoy to Manila’s statement last month that the Philippines should not back Taiwan’s independence “if you care about the 150,000 overseas foreign workers” of Filipino descent a “veiled threat.”
“Some of the steps that China have taken have concerned (Marcos), probably even surprised him,” said one senior Biden administration official. He wants to collaborate with both countries, but China’s actions worry him.
“We will reaffirm our commitment to fostering our longstanding alliance as an instrument of peace and as catalyst of development in the Asia Pacific region,” Marcos stated before leaving for the trip on Sunday.
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