While regional security concerns lingered in the background, China did not serve as the principal focus of talks between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during their Wednesday meeting in Malacañang.
The engagement took place alongside the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Summits, with both sides focusing on bilateral ties, economic partnerships, and developments across the Indo-Pacific.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez noted that the conversation heavily emphasized bolstering ties between the two nations, particularly regarding defense and economic affairs.
“Generally, it was just mostly on strengthening of our relationship,” Romualdez told reporters after the meeting.
“The President, of course, expresses his gratitude to the continued support that we’ve been getting from the United States on all matters, not only in the defense but also on the economic front. So the general discussion was surrounding that.”
During the dialogue, Rubio delivered a message from US President Donald Trump, who is anticipated to visit the Philippines in November for the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.
“Hopefully, President Trump will come in November during the ASEAN Leaders Summit,” Romualdez said.
The discussion occurred a day after Marcos summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to Malacañang following allegations that China Coast Guard personnel assaulted Philippine Navy officers near Ayungin Shoal, adding to ongoing maritime tensions.
However, Romualdez explained that the confrontation was not a primary focus during the Palace meeting.
“It was not really mentioned. It was just in passing,” he said when asked whether the Ayungin incident was discussed.
Nonetheless, the ambassador noted that China consistently factors into high-level exchanges between Philippine and American diplomats.
“China of course has always been a situation, that is always part of the conversation in the sense that the hope is that countries will have a way to be able to persuade China to be able to respect the rule of law, international law of the seas and so forth and so on,” he said.
His comments highlighted China’s ongoing influence over strategic dialogues between the allies, regardless of specific incident callouts.
In addition to security topics, Marcos commended the progress of joint economic initiatives, including the Luzon Economic Corridor and the US-backed Pax Silica project.
Romualdez noted that the President was pleased with the momentum of these initiatives, which seek to drive investments in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors.
“He’s very pleased that it’s moving quickly and that will definitely help the Philippine economy and our aspiration to have the kind of economic prosperity that we’ve been looking for because it spells economic security for us,” he said.
Rubio’s visit aligned with the Philippines hosting ASEAN ministerial sessions, where foreign leaders are addressing supply chains, regional stability, and the West Philippine Sea.
Bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines and the US continue to deepen cooperation under the Marcos administration through joint defense exercises, infrastructure programs, and strategic economic initiatives across the Indo-Pacific.