The Philippines and the United States are in the middle of discussions on further coordination in the military, political, and economic spheres.
President Marcos said both countries are now in the process of assessment on how they could improve capabilities and coordination, not just in maritime, but also in multiple spheres.
“Well, again, it’s a process. We are in the middle of many assessments, many discussions kung how we can improve our capabilities, how we can improve our coordination with the US, not only in the military, but also the political leadership,” Marcos said when about fresh commitment by the US in terms of helping the Philippines in securing peace in the West Philippine Sea after visiting the United States Indo-Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“That encompasses not only security concerns, but also encompasses economic concerns because the thinking in this day is that you cannot be strong and you cannot be able to defend yourself if you are economically weak,” he pointed out.
According to the President, both sides are working based on that premise, noting that when security is discussed, commitment on the economy, investments, public private partnership (PPP) also come into play.
He particularly mentioned his recent attendance to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, California, which he said was dominated by discussions on technology.
“We were able to come to terms on some significant projects, programs that we would like to undertake in the Philippines. We talk about it so much about digitalization, about cybersecurity. And we made a lot of progress on this trip to make that part, that sector of our economy, that sector of our country a better one, a stronger one and a safer one,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Headquarters while he was in Honolulu, where he was briefed on the regional situation and security objectives of the US and the Philippines.
Admiral John Aquilino, the commander of the INDOPACOM, provided Marcos a restricted briefing on the state of the Indo-Pacific, the US Indo-Pacific Strategy and the corresponding role of the INDOPACOM, and the capabilities that the US can provide to the Philippines in support of common security objectives.