September 23, 2022
MANILA — In his first meeting with United States President Joe Biden, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines will continue to look to the US in maintaining peace in the Southeast Asia region.
Before going into the first bilateral meeting between the two nations, Marcos said the Philippines appreciates the US’ role in maintaining peace in the region, adding that the country is “especially fortunate” to have a “very strong foundation” of a long and strong relationship with the US in political, diplomatic and economic relations.
“The role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the regions and the Philippines especially,” he said.
“We feel that we are especially fortunate because we have a very strong foundation of a very long relationship and strong relationships in various facets not only political, not only diplomatic, but also economic. We continue to look to the United States for that continuing partnership and the maintenance of peace in our region,” the President added.
Marcos said the Philippines’ primary consideration and guiding principle in its foreign policy is to “encourage peace.”
The President earlier announced on the world stage that the Philippines will be retaining its current foreign policy where it is a “friend to all and an enemy to none.”
“I hope that we will be able to discuss further the roles that our two countries will play together and individually as we continue down that road — maintaining peace despite all the complexities that have arisen in the past few months I suppose,” he said.
Marcos thanked Biden for making the time to meet with him and the Philippine delegation, reiterating that the country is the US’ partner, ally and friend.