President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that the enduring alliance between the Philippines and the United States has taken on greater significance in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in upholding the rule of law and fostering regional peace and security.

“The Philippines-United States alliance serves the regional interest of upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace, security, and prosperity,” Marcos said in his keynote speech during the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Marcos maintained that the Indo-Pacific remains the “most consequential region for the world, and we, the Philippines, are at the forefront, at the frontline of it all.”

“Today, the most significant threat to the peace and stability we strive for is right here in our own neighborhood, here in the Indo-Pacific region. And this is not just an opinion. It is a fact,” the President said.

“We in the Philippines can say this with certainty, because we face the threat every single day. Our government vessels and fisherfolk continue to be harassed in our own waters, and we remain on the receiving end of illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions in the South China Sea,” Marcos continued.

Marcos thanked the United States for its support in enhancing the Philippines’ capability for maritime domain awareness and boosting naval security efforts.

The President said during US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit to Manila last March, “we committed to boosting defense industrial cooperation with the United States, in areas such as production of unmanned systems, energetics, ship and aircraft maintenance and repair.”

The Philippines also continues to build its resources to be an effective mutual defense partner to the United States.

“Now, midway into my presidential term, and having seen our cooperation with the United States reach new heights, I can say, with confidence, that Philippines-United States relations remain a beacon of stability,” said President Marcos.

“This is true not only today, but it certainly will be true for the years to come. Together, we continue to stand firm on solid ground.” Presidential News Desk