Philippines, US discuss reinforcing cooperation

MANILA, Philippines —  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke yesterday with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo about the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea as the two top diplomats exchanged ideas on how to reinforce bilateral cooperation in the coming year.

“Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo about issues of mutual concern, including ongoing tensions in the South China Sea,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said “Secretary Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ abiding interest to protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, while maintaining peace and security and upholding the international rules-based order.”

Manalo emphasized the importance of open lines of communication and dialogue with other parties in pursuit of these objectives.

“Secretary Manalo and Secretary Blinken acknowledged the robust Philippines-United States alliance and bilateral relations, as well as discussed important opportunities for further strengthening cooperation in 2024,” the DFA said.

The phone call between Blinken and Manalo was held days after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the Philippines to “act with caution.”

During the Dec. 20 phone call that China initiated, Wang also warned Manalo that the Philippine-China ties are now “facing serious difficulties.”

The Philippines, United States and Japan vowed to strengthen trilateral efforts in defense and security capabilities to “maintain a free and open maritime order” following the latest unsafe operational behavior by Chinese military ships against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

During the encounters, the Chinese vessels employed water cannons and forced a collision which caused damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions. Chinese military ships operating near Bajo de Masinloc also used acoustic devices to incapacitate Filipino crew members.

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