STRENGTHENING TIES: MANALO AND RUBIO DISCUSS RESPONSE TO CHINA’S ACTIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio focused on addressing China’s “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea (SCS) and enhancing bilateral economic cooperation during their first in-person meeting in Germany on Friday (14 Feb 2025).

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and provided an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance. Rubio expressed enthusiasm about deepening the partnership, emphasizing the importance of further collaboration on security and economic matters.

“We had the opportunity to meet with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo during the Munich Security Conference. Our discussion centered on how we can fortify the U.S.-Philippines Alliance, addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and promoting the economic prosperity of our citizens,” Rubio shared in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Manalo, in response, highlighted the Philippines’ dedication to working alongside the U.S. to bolster both economic and security ties. “A great first in-person meeting with Secretary Rubio at MSC 2025. Our strong and committed Philippine-U.S. partnership in various sectors will contribute to a more robust alliance,” he wrote on X.

The U.S. State Department noted that the two leaders also explored avenues for increased cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology, and energy, with a focus on civil nuclear collaboration.

Additionally, while Manalo did not explicitly mention the issue, the topic of the U.S. foreign aid freeze, which could impact assistance to the Philippines, was a point of concern for Manila. Foreign Affairs Secretary previously indicated the Philippines’ interest in understanding the full scope of the freeze and its implications.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has already directed officials to review all affected projects and recommend actions to ensure their continued implementation despite the aid freeze. A memo from Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno instructed the OCD to ensure that any disruptions are swiftly addressed, with clear steps outlined for the smooth progress of critical initiatives.

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