WASHINGTON, D.C.

— The United States has once again affirmed its support to the Philippines over attacks against its armed forces and public vessels in the Pacific, including the South China Sea. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and US President Joe Biden hold bilateral meeting at the Oval Office inside the White House in Washington D.C. on May 1, 2023. (KJ Rosales/PPA POOL)
Stressing its "ironclad alliance commitments" to the Philippines, US President Joe Biden said any armed attack on the Philippines' armed forces and vessels would compel them to enforce its mutual defense commitments with the Philippines. "President Biden reaffirms the United States’ ironclad alliance commitments to the Philippines, underscoring that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," the joint statement read after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s meeting with Biden at the White House here on Monday afternoon, May 1. Biden and Marcos also underscored their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and the importance of respecting the sovereign rights of states within their exclusive economic zones consistent with international law. They both support the right and ability of Filipino fisherfolk to pursue their traditional livelihoods. The leaders note the ruling of the 2016 arbitral tribunal, constituted pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Taiwan, Ukraine situations

Marcos and Biden also affirmed the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. "They affirm the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity," the joint statement said. The leaders also conveyed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, noting that the conflict has adversely affected food and energy security in the Indo-Pacific.

Trilateral cooperation

Both leaders welcomed cooperation with partners that share the United States’ and the Philippines’ commitment to international law and mutual respect. With this, they reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. "They look forward to establishing trilateral modes of cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, as well as the Philippines, Australia, and the United States," the statement said. They also welcomed the Quad’s commitment to support a peaceful and stable, rules-based region with ASEAN at the center, through its efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.