Manila – Malacañang announced on Friday (12 April 2024) the establishment of a “stronger” trilateral cooperation between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, aimed at safeguarding the Indo-Pacific region to ensure “a better future for all.”
This significant trilateral alliance emerged following the inaugural trilateral summit between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.
“During the historic summit, President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida solidified a stronger trilateral bond with the Philippines, pledging to uphold security in the Indo-Pacific region,” stated Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.
In his opening address at the trilateral meeting, President Marcos emphasized that the Philippines’ collaboration with the US and Japan is rooted in a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific amid challenges to the international rules-based system.
“Our partnership is not merely pragmatic but a natural evolution of deepening relations and robust cooperation among our three nations, united by a profound commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law,” Marcos conveyed to Biden and Kishida.
Addressing the pressing challenges of the contemporary era demands unified action, a dedication to common objectives, and an unwavering adherence to the rules-based global order, Marcos added, framing the summit as a forward-looking endeavor.
Highlighting the significance of the trilateral summit as a foundational step, Marcos underscored it as an opportunity to chart a collective vision for the future and delineate the strategies for its realization.
Biden reiterated the US’ unwavering defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines, affirming that any aggression against Philippine assets in the South China Sea would trigger the mutual defense treaty.
“The United States’ defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines are unequivocal. As I’ve stated previously, any aggression against Philippine aircraft, vessels, or Armed Forces in the South China Sea would activate our mutual defense treaty,” Biden asserted, characterizing Marcos and Kishida as allies and partners in the landmark assembly.
Describing the new phase of partnership with the Philippines and Japan as emblematic of a “new era,” Biden emphasized the collective aspiration to construct an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, prosperous, and secure through strengthened trilateral bonds.
Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to bolster its ties with the US and the Philippines, pledging full cooperation for regional peace and stability.
“To secure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, I aim to reaffirm our commitment to enhancing trilateral cooperation and delineating a concrete path forward through today’s meeting,” Kishida affirmed.
The historic trilateral summit was attended by high-level representatives from each country’s foreign affairs, defense, trade, and energy ministries.
“This landmark summit is the culmination of extensive preparatory engagements between our Foreign Ministries, National Security Advisers, and Vice Ministers, alongside joint maritime exercises and development cooperation,” Marcos remarked.
In parallel, the three nations resolved to deepen economic ties and fortify economic relations, with President Marcos and the two world leaders endeavoring to explore avenues for economic growth, climate resilience, sustained progress, and global peace for future generations.
The US and Japan reiterated their commitment to supporting the Philippines’ endeavors to combat climate change and enhance its economic landscape by fostering industries and generating employment opportunities for Filipinos.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the US have spanned 77 years since their formal establishment on July 4, 1946, while the Philippines and Japan have celebrated 67 years of normalized relations since July 23, 1956, further solidifying their strategic partnership since 2011.
(el Amigo/MNM)
