Biden lauds Marcos diplomacy on SCS row as PH, US, Japan reaffirm ties

TRILATERAL PARTNERSHIP. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., United States President Joe Biden Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru hold a virtual trilateral meeting on Monday (Jan. 13, 2025). The three leaders vowed to continue working together to enhance and deepen trilateral ties, particularly in the areas of economic, maritime, and technology cooperation. (PCO photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Outgoing United States (US) President Joe Biden praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his firm diplomatic response to China’s ongoing aggression in the South China Sea (SCS), signaling stronger regional ties between the US, the Philippines, and Japan.

In a virtual trilateral meeting Monday, the three nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation, with a focus on maritime security, economic resilience, and technology.

Biden, who held talks with Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, hailed the progress of the trilateral partnership since the April 2024 summit in Washington.

“Since then, we’ve made historic progress in our trilateral partnership, especially in areas of maritime security, economic security, technology cooperation, and high-quality infrastructure investments,” Biden was quoted as saying in a Malacañang news release.

“We should continue to deepen our cooperation in these areas, I believe,” he added.

Marcos is also confident that the three countries will continue to deepen their partnership.

“I am confident that our three countries will continue to work together closely to sustain the gains that we have made in enhancing and deepening our ties,” Marcos said.

Biden also praised Marcos for his diplomatic leadership in the face of China’s “aggressive and coercive activities” in the SCS.

“Simply put, our countries have an interest in continuing this partnership and institutionalizing our cooperation across our governments so that it is built to last,” Biden said.

“I’m optimistic that my successor will also see the value of continuing this partnership, and that it is framed the right way,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ishiba stressed the importance of furthering the trilateral cooperation, highlighting the strategic importance of unity among the three nations.

“Going forward, it is important to deepen trilateral cooperation in a variety of fields,” the Japanese leader said.