WASHINGTON – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. arrived in the United States to begin an official visit aimed at strengthening the two nations' long-standing ties.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, US Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, his wife Maria Lourdes Romualdez, 89th Maintenance Group commander Colonel Bryan Bobeck, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia Edgard Kagan, and Chief of Presidential Protocol Rufus Gifford welcomed the President and First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos.
Former President and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ilocos Representative Sandro Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ao, Defense officer-in-charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil were among the Philippine delegation members.
Marcos' full program will begin on May 1 with a bilateral meeting at the White House with US President Joe Biden. Following that, there will be a larger bilateral meeting with other US officials.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the two chiefs of state's meeting will undoubtedly include discussions regarding military and security.
This will include defense arrangements, since Marcos has stated that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States must adapt as the security situation in other nations evolves.
Aside from that, Marcos is expected to promote the Philippine economic agenda and entice American businessmen to invest in the country.
According to the DFA, he would also make time to speak with the Filipino community in Washington.
Marcos' formal visit to the United States occurred after the Philippine government revealed more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) locations in early April.
Furthermore, this followed the recently concluded Balikatan Exercises between Filipino and American troops, during which Marcos witnessed a live fire drill in Zambales province.
It will also take place while tensions between the United States and China rise as a result of the Taiwan issue. Beijing claims Taiwan, which is democratically governed, as its own territory.
Since then, the United States has pledged to defend the Philippines against any kind of assault. In addition, Washington has pledged to maintain international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
