United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila) extended his warmest congratulations to the Filipino people, as the country celebrates Independence Day.
In a statement on the State Department website, Rubio said this year also marks 80 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“This year the Philippines and the United States commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations – a bond forged through the sacrifices of World War II and our shared purpose. The United States is unwavering in our ironclad mutual defense commitments as our two countries mark 75 years of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty,” Rubio’s statement read.
“With over four million Filipino-Americans living in the United States and more than 750,000 Americans living in the Philippines, the ties between our peoples and our nations have never been stronger,” he added.
Rubio said Washington looks forward to deepening their collaboration with the Philippines in advancing peace, security and prosperity in the coming years.
