Philippine lawmakers on Sunday night welcomed a two-man congressional delegation from the United States signifying the continuing effort from both countries to bolster their long-standing bilateral relations.
Sen. Imee Marcos and Reps. Rachel Arenas, Stella Quimbo, and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata met with the bipartisan US congressional delegation composed of Rep. Seth Moulton (Massachusetts-Democrat) and Mike Waltz (Florida-Republican) at the West Room of Manila Golf and Country Club.
The visit of the US lawmakers, who are both members of the US House Committee on Armed Services, occurred as 2,550 US Marines and their 630 Filipino counterparts kicked off the first stage of their two-week joint military exercises.
The PH-US congressional delegations meeting took place on the heels of the September 22, 2022 bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
During the bilateral meeting, President Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the US to the defense of the Philippines.
They also discussed the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Marcos and Biden also discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including energy security, climate action, and infrastructure, as well as the Ukraine-Russia war
and its implications for energy prices and food security, among others.
The visit of the US lawmakers, who are both members of the US House Committee on Armed Services, occurred as 2,550 US Marines and their 630 Filipino counterparts kicked off the first stage of their two-week joint military exercises. Maricel V. Cruz
This is the first time joint military exercises are held under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongnong” Marcos Jr.
The war games, dubbed “Kamandag” or “Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea” will last until October 14 and includes combined live-fire exercise featuring aircraft and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, as well as amphibious operations along the coast of Zambales province.
South Korea and Japan also sent their troops as observers.