As Biden sat down with Marcos on Monday, the US president went out of his way to note the progress in the US-Philippine relationship – one that has had ups and downs over the years and was in a difficult place when Marcos took office less than a year ago.
“We are facing new challenges and I couldn’t think of a better partner to have than you,” Biden told Marcos at the start of their Oval Office meeting. “The United States also remains ironclad in our commitment to the defence of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, and we will continue to support the Philippines military modernisation goals.
