The Philippines and United States Indo-Pacific Command will see more of each other as there is a "great deal" of subjects they have to discuss together, President Marcos said.
Marcos made the statement during his meeting with the new commander of Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo in Malacañan on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
“Welcome to Manila. Welcome to the Philippines. Well since your new appointment I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you. I’m going to see you and you’re coming to see us," the President said.
"We have a great deal of, there are great many subjects that will be discussed, many decisions that we have to make for the United States and for the Philippines,” he told Paparo.
Marcos said the planned visits of Paparo to several Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites will expose the US delegation to the real situation.
According to Malacañang, during the meeting, the two officials talked about issues that would lead to continuity of a crucial defense and security partnership between the US and the Philippines.
Paparo is in the country to attend the annual meeting of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) and to participate in the planning of activities for the year 2025.
He assumed command of US Indo-Pacific Command from Admiral John C. Aquilino during a change of command ceremony in May 2024.
It can be recalled that Marcos visited the US Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii in November last year.
The US Indo-Pacific Command was established as a unified command on Jan. 1, 1947. It is one of six geographic Unified Combatant Commands of the US Armed Forces and the oldest and largest of the American unified commands.