Jose Manuel Romualdez 鈥擯HOTO FROM THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OF THE EMBASSY OF THE 蜜桃工作室 IN WASHINGTON
MANILA鈥擳he Philippines is closely watching the but would view any change in leadership as an opportunity to renew the strengthening alliance between the two countries, Manila鈥檚 longtime envoy to Washington said on Thursday.
Security engagements between the defense treaty allies have stepped up considerably under and Philippine counterpart, President Marcos, with both leaders keen to counter what they see as China鈥檚 aggressive actions in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
The Philippines, a former US colony, is Washington鈥檚 closest ally in Southeast Asia and its proximity to Taiwan makes it crucial to US efforts to counter a potential invasion by China of the democratic island it views as its own territory.
Only challenge
鈥淭he only challenge that we face, especially for us in the embassy in Washington DC, is what happens in November. It鈥檚 a concern for every country who would be the next president 鈥� everybody is preparing for that,鈥� Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez told Reuters in a video interview.
Biden is likely to face Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner to be the party鈥檚 presidential candidate, in a rematch in November鈥檚 presidential election.
鈥淎ny change is always something that we welcome,鈥� Romualdez added.
鈥淚t gives us an opportunity to renew what we鈥檝e already been saying, that our relationship with the United States is an important one, we value it, and we really hope that this is the same feeling that they have for us.鈥�
Expanded exercises
Under Marcos, the Philippines nearly doubled the number of its bases accessible to US forces, including three new sites facing Taiwan, as it shifts its focus to territorial defense.
Military exercises have taken place regularly for decades, but maneuvers have extended lately to include joint air and sea patrols over the South China Sea and close to Taiwan, actions China has seen as provocations and 鈥渟tirring up trouble.鈥�
Beijing鈥檚 ties with Manila have soured amid repeated spats over disputed features in the Philippines鈥� exclusive economic zone, during which China鈥檚 coast guard has used water cannon to drive away Philippine vessels, disrupting fishing and resupply missions to troops in what Beijing sees as its territory.
鈥楾otally unacceptable鈥�
The Philippines鈥� western allies and 鈥渓ike-minded鈥� partners see China鈥檚 鈥渁ggressive behavior as totally unacceptable,鈥� said Romualdez, a cousin of the Philippine president.
He said it would not waiver in its commitment to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in the South China Sea and 鈥渨ill not back down鈥� over Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, a submerged reef on which the Philippines grounded an old warship in 1999 to serve as a military outpost.
Security commitment
Despite other global challenges, the United States remains 鈥渃ommitted to our mutual defense treaty, committed to our alliance,鈥� Romualdez said.
That 1951 treaty binds both countries to defend each other in the event of attack and Marcos last year succeeded in pushing Washington to make clear the extent of that security commitment.
Romualdez also said the relationship was expanding in economic areas too, with the United States due to send its first presidential trade mission to the Philippines next month, for which there was 鈥渧ery, very strong鈥� interest from American companies.