Maritime security in the South China Sea was a focal point during a recent phone conversation between Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Both leaders underscored the importance of their nations’ alliance in maintaining regional stability and upholding international law.
President Marcos expressed optimism about the partnership between the Philippines and the United States, noting progress in economic, diplomatic, and defense collaborations. He stated, “The progress we have made is terribly encouraging, and we just hope to build on that and continue to work on what we have begun and to stand for our shared values and the rule of international law.”
Vice President Harris reaffirmed the United States’ “ironclad alliance commitment” to the Philippines, emphasizing the role of the U.S.-Philippines alliance in ensuring a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. She highlighted the necessity of cooperation to uphold international law and safeguard freedom of navigation in the contested South China Sea.
The discussion also covered enhanced bilateral maritime cooperation, including joint exercises and patrols with like-minded partners. Both leaders welcomed the identification of four additional sites in the Philippines accessible to U.S. forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). These sites aim to bolster shared capabilities in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and defense readiness.
This conversation builds on recent engagements between the two nations, including President Marcos’s meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris’s visit to the Philippines in November 2022. The continued dialogue underscores both countries’ commitment to fortify their alliance amid evolving regional security challenges.
The Philippines and the United States have a longstanding defense relationship rooted in treaties such as the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Recent years have seen heightened collaboration, particularly with the implementation of the EDCA, which allows U.S. access to Philippine military facilities. The agreement has been critical in addressing regional tensions in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims have led to disputes involving China and Southeast Asian nations.
The strategic importance of the South China Sea, through which a significant portion of global trade passes, makes it a hotspot for international diplomacy and military activities. Efforts by the Philippines and the United States to strengthen maritime security echo broader initiatives to ensure peace and stability in the region while advocating for adherence to international rulings, such as the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal’s decision affirming the Philippines’ maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This renewed focus on maritime cooperation signals both nations’ resolve to address challenges while fostering a secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific.