International think tank Stratbase ADR Institute sees the historic trilateral summit among the Philippines, US, and Japan as a “new chapter in strengthening the enduring bond among these three nations across various areas of cooperation.”
Stratbase President Dindo Manhit made this statement hours after President Marcos met with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington.
“The inaugural trilateral summit among the Philippines, United States and Japan – all defenders of the rules-based international order — is a testament to the commitment of like-minded partners to address pressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific,” Manhit said.
The Stratbase ADR Institute supports the alignment of interests in safeguarding regional stability, upholding international law, and promoting economic security.
It also welcomes the renewed commitment to maritime security cooperation, consistent with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“This step is integral for the Philippines as it is confronted with increasingly aggressive and coercive actors in the West Philippine Sea,” Manhit said.
The trilateral summit comes amid China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea, marked by the Chinese Coast Guard’s harassment of Philippine vessels in Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
Manhit stressed the urgency for a unified response to geopolitical and geo-economic challenges, noting that this response shall be grounded in mutual respect, cooperation, and adherence to international law.
“It is through the collective efforts of like-minded partners such as the Philippines, United States, and Japan that regional security can be achieved, economic development can be realized, and the fundamental tenets of the rules-based international order can be upheld,” Manhit said.
He said the summit also reinforces the momentum of efforts encompassing economic growth and resilience, high-impact infrastructure, emerging technologies, climate resilience, and clean energy supply chains.
The Stratbase ADR Institute is committed to continue supporting initiatives that advance shared goals and fortify the Indo-Pacific security and economic landscapes, Manhit stressed.