Marco Rubio, the newly appointed US Secretary of State, took swift action to reinforce the US-Philippines alliance by phoning Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. During the call, Rubio assured Manalo of an "ironclad commitment" to the Philippines under the Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT), a long-standing agreement between the two nations. This gesture comes as one of Rubio's initial moves as the chief architect of President Donald Trump's foreign policy.
The assurance from Rubio was met with approval by analysts, who noted its significance given the historical ties between the Philippines and the US. However, they also expressed concern due to President Trump's seemingly softened stance on China, which could potentially affect the US's commitment to its Asian ally.
"Issues of mutual concern, including China’s dangerous and destabilising actions in the South China Sea," were among the topics discussed, according to Rubio.
The MDT, which stands as a testament to the enduring military alliance between the US and the Philippines, has faced scrutiny against the backdrop of China's assertive actions in the South China Sea. Analysts have raised questions about whether Trump's foreign policy direction might influence this commitment.
Tammy Bruce, a spokeswoman for the state department, confirmed both the call and Rubio's assurances. As part of his diplomatic efforts, Rubio also engaged with foreign ministers from the Quad nations—Australia, India, and Japan—emphasizing a collective stance against coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
"Strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion in the Indo-Pacific region," stated the Quad foreign ministers in a joint statement following their meeting.
The trilateral security arrangement involving the US, Japan, and the Philippines, initiated during former President Joe Biden's tenure, further underscores the importance of regional stability. Rubio highlighted Beijing's behavior as a threat to peace and stability.
"Undermines regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law," he remarked regarding China's actions.
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