Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA —  Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the United States to remain a central force in the Indo-Pacific, warning that regional stability is under threat from “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions” in the South China Sea.“My hope is that as the United States progresses with its own changes internally, we come to the inevitable conclusion that its significant role in the world cannot be easily replaced, and that its continued engagement in global affairs benefits all, including the United States itself,” the President said.Speaking at the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Marcos said the Philippines is “at the frontline of it all” as maritime tensions intensify.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/afp-notes-rise-in-maritime-cooperative-activities-with-defense-partners-amid-tensions-in-wps-1413">AFP notes rise in maritime cooperative activities with defense partners amid tensions in West PH Sea</a></div>“Today, the most significant threat to the peace and stability we strive for is right here in our own neighborhood, here in the Indo-Pacific region. And this is not just an opinion. It is a fact,” he said. “Our government vessels and fisherfolk continue to be harassed in our own waters, and we remain on the receiving end of illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions in the South China Sea.”The President underscored that the US–Philippines alliance, which marks its 75th year under the Mutual Defense Treaty in 2026, remains a “beacon of stability.”“The place of the United States is here with us in the Indo-Pacific,” Marcos said. “It will be crucial to the free and open nature of our region that your vigor, inventiveness, and resilience continue to play a leading role.”The President outlined three pillars of the alliance: upholding rule of law and peace in the region, complementing defense with economic security, and expanding trilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners such as Japan, Australia, and Canada.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/14/palace-says-ph-will-continue-defend-sovereign-rights-in-wps-1704">Palace says PH will continue defend sovereign rights in WPS</a></div>Marcos said the Philippine’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable.”“We have many bilateral channels of communication and areas of cooperation. But in all of these, respect for our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction is, and has always been and will always be, non-negotiable.”He highlighted new areas of cooperation including maritime security, semiconductor supply chain resilience, critical minerals, and civil nuclear energy. Marcos cited a US-funded railway project linking key Philippine ports as an example of strategic economic collaboration.Finally, the President expressed confidence that the US, despite global challenges from Ukraine to the Middle East, will remain committed to the Indo-Pacific as a “self-declared Pacific nation.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/marcos-ph-vessels-won-t-back-out-from-scarborough-after-fresh-incident-with-china-1159">Marcos: PH vessels won’t back out from Scarborough after fresh incident with China</a></div>Looking ahead, Marcos noted that the Philippines will chair ASEAN in 2026, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Philippine-US diplomatic ties and America’s 250th year of nationhood.“We have achieved so much together throughout history,” he said.“There is still so much to be accomplished in the future.”

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the United States to remain a central force in the Indo-Pacific, warning that regional stability is under threat from “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions” in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the United States to remain a central force in the Indo-Pacific, warning that regional stability is under threat from “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions” in the South China Sea.

Marcos urges stronger US engagement in Indo-Pacific as PH remains 'frontline' of maritime tension

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Marcos urges stronger US engagement in Indo-Pacific as PH remains 'frontline' of maritime tension

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 10, 2025 03:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippines

United States

West Philippines Sea

China

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Manila Strategy Forum

Indo-Pacific

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