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Marcos: Cooperation in Indo-Pacific region to bring ‘brighter, more prosperous’ future

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17130532294461712875360067Screen Shot 2024-04-12 at 6.42.03 AM.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span data-offset-key="9q8ad-0-0" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial">US President Joe Biden speaks to the press with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (L) at the White House in Washington, DC, April 11, 2024. <span data-offset-key="9q8ad-0-1" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial">Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP </div>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Sunday said the Philippines’ “collaborative efforts” with other countries would bring a “brighter and more prosperous” future in the Indo-Pacific region, following the historic trilateral meeting with the leaders of the United States and Japan.  In his arrival statement, Marcos Jr. said he, US President Joe Biden, and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed commitments to a “peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific” following the latest news on the South China Sea.  “We are guided by our shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality,” said the President. “We explored ways of enhancing our cooperation in a number of areas of mutual concern, including in enhancing economic resilience and security, promoting inclusive growth and development, addressing climate change and maritime cooperation,” he said.   “I emphasize the trilateral cooperation between the US, Japan and the Philippines as a natural progression of the strong relations between close allies,” he said.  The Philippines and US have been treaty allies since 1951 because of the Mutual Defense Treaty, which guarantees that the two parties will come to the defense of the other in the event of an armed attack.Earlier this week, the US and Japan vowed to pour in billions worth of investments to help the Philippines become more economically resilient amid China’s continued incursions and illegal actions in the South China Sea.  <div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/13/marcos-ph-agreement-with-us-japan-to-change-dynamic-in-region-2309">READ: Marcos: PH agreement with US, Japan to &#x27;change dynamic&#x27; in region</a></div><div>INVESTMENTS, TRADE</div>Aside from this, Marcos touted Washington and Tokyo’s promise of support on Manila’s infrastructure and connectivity efforts under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and Open Radio Access Network, among other things.The Philippines, he reiterated, is open to US businesses and investments.US Trade and Development Agency-led activities are expected to leverage  $500 million from the private and public sectors  to develop “high quality infrastructure” in the country focused on renewable energy, smart grids, and healthcare.  Meanwhile, the US International Development Finance Corporation committed to provide private sector investments in infrastructure and renewable sectors through another $20 million for “affordable housing.”He also noted the recent US Presidential Trade and Investment Mission showcased over $1 billion in combined investments from 22 US companies and organizations during their visit to Manila in March this year.  “This mission underscores strong economic ties between our nations and the immense potential for further collaboration,” said Marcos, Jr.   “I am confident that our collaborative efforts will pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific Region. Together, we can harness the power of infrastructure and innovation to drive sustainable development and economic growth,” he said.  The upcoming Indo-Pacific Business Forum scheduled in May here in the Philippines, he said, holds potential.   This, he said, will “become a significant platform for fostering infrastructure development and reinforcing economic ties in the region.”

“We are guided by our shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality,” Marcos Jr. said.

“We are guided by our shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality,” Marcos Jr. said.