The Philippine and United States foreign affairs chief discussed the ongoing bilateral coordination on addressing China’s destabilizing acts in the South China Sea.

In a readout, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the discussion was made when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo met during the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

"Secretary Rubio not only reaffirmed US commitment to the United States-Philippines Alliance, but noted his enthusiasm for building an even more invested and enduring relationship," she said.

"Discussions included the ongoing bilateral coordination on addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea; and increasing economic cooperation on infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology, and energy, including through civil nuclear cooperation," she added.

Last month, Rubio and Manalo also discussed China's "dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea" in their first phone conversation following the inauguration of President Donald Trump last January 20. Robina Asido/DMS