THE Philippines and the US have agreed to boost their defense cooperation to ensure a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The commitment was made during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s meeting with US Undersecretary of War for Policy Eldridge Colby and his delegation in New York on Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos and US defense officials discussed efforts aimed at accelerating the two countries' defense partnership amid growing security challenges in the region.
"The meeting focused on strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and improving interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States military through joint operations such as Exercise Balikatan, which will begin next month," the PCO said.
"Both sides also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and to continue working together for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region," it added.
Exercise Balikatan is the largest annual, bilateral military drill between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military, which is scheduled to begin next month.
The exercise aims to enhance the readiness and coordination of both forces while reinforcing their ability to respond to various security challenges in the region.
The US Department of War is now officially the Department of Defense. Its mission is to provide military forces necessary to protect the security of the United States.
Meanwhile, Marcos reiterated the country’s adherence to multilateralism and commitment to the United Nations Charter, underscoring the importance of the rule of law and respect for human rights.
“All our efforts will mean little nor will they endure without the rule of law and respect for human rights,” Marcos said in a special address to the UN General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday.
“The Philippines has consistently affirmed its resolute commitment to the rule of law and the promotion, protection and respect of human rights,” he added.
The president said the decision of the Philippines to join the United Nations 80 years ago was anchored on the belief that the rule of law is the beacon that guides the journey toward peace, security and shared prosperity.
With its commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter, Marcos said the Philippines, as a responsible State Party, abides by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“We are steadfast in our dedication to diplomacy, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the constructive management of differences to prevent escalation of disputes,” Marcos said.
“We remain faithful to the principles of territorial integrity and the sovereign equality of all states,” he added.
Marcos is in New York to rally support for the country’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
“In the midst of mounting challenges and uncertainties, our United Nations need steady, committed, experienced hands; and we humbly offer ours — to serve in the UN Security Council from 2027 to 2028,” Marcos said.
"We lodged our candidature, mindful that a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council is not a right of any State, but a privilege earned through consistent, dedicated, meaningful and concrete partnership in the service of the United Nations, and so of humanity," he added.
The president expressed the Philippines’ readiness to contribute and help calm voices of division, provide a voice of balance for service, and ventilate views for principled peace.
“And thus, I stand before you to humbly petition for your support for the Philippines in the elections on the 3rd of June 2026,” he said.