US, Philippines to deepen cooperation over China’s 'destabilizing actions'

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Philippines and the US have agreed to deepen cooperation over China’s “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea as well as to strengthen economic cooperation.

The agreement between the two countries was reached after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Monday in Washington.

The two diplomats met to “underscore the US-Philippines Alliance’s vital role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region," US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

“Secretary Rubio and Secretary Manalo committed to deepening cooperation on addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and to increasing economic cooperation to mutually benefit American and Philippine citizens,” Bruce added.

Manalo noted on X that the meeting reinforced the commitment to the bilateral alliance and highlighted the importance of enhancing economic cooperation alongside defense relations.