Marcos: Review of PH-US defense deals seen in meeting with Biden

From CNN Philippines (Apr 24, 2023): Marcos: Review of PH-US defense deals seen in meeting with Biden (By CNN Philippines Staff)

(File photo)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 24) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday he expects to discuss with US President Joe Biden possible changes to bilateral defense deals, especially in light of developments in the Indo-Pacific region.

In an interview during the radio program of former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Marcos said the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty are among the topics that will be tackled during his meeting with Biden on May 1.


“It has to evolve,” he said of the defense cooperation between the two countries.

“Kailangan ina-adjust adjust din natin ‘yan dahil meron din talagang evolution, may nagbabago rin sa sitwasyon na hinaharap natin dito sa South China Sea, sa gitna ng mga pangyayari sa Taiwan, sa North Korea, lahat itong mga ano, na medyo umiinit ang sitwasyon dito sa atin,” the president added.  [Translation: We also need to adjust that because there is evolution, there are changes in the situation in the South China Sea, in Taiwan, in North Korea, amid all of these rising tensions.]

The chief executive said he also intends to ask for US assistance, such as in responding to climate change, and to seek improved partnership in a number of other areas, including economy, tourism, and health care.

“Marami tayong hihingin na tulong dahil tayo lahat naman ay nagre-recover sa pandemya. Kagaya ng ibang mga byahe na ginawa ko, kung ano ba mga partnership na pwedeng buuin, ano ba ang mga pwedeng bagong teknolohiya na baka pwedeng dalhin dito sa Pilipinas na magagamit natin,” he said.

[Translation: We will ask for a lot of help because we are all recovering from the pandemic. Like in my other official state visits, we will look into partnerships that we can enter into and the kinds of new technologies that we can bring to the Philippines and use.]

The May 1 Macros-Biden meeting will take place in Washington and will mark their second bilateral talks.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre earlier said the two leaders will discuss regional matters and "coordinate on efforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific."

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/24/mrcos-biden-meeting-defense-deals.html