Philippines’ Marcos to seek specifics from Biden on US defence commitment

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday he will encourage U.S. counterpart Joe Biden to clarify Washington’s commitment to protect his country under a 1951 security deal, citing rising regional tension.

In light of rising tensions in the South China Sea, the past two Philippine governments have pushed former colonial power the US to clarify its Mutual Defence Treaty obligations.

The White House said Marcos and Biden would reiterate its “ironclad commitments to the defence of the Philippines” this weekend in Washington.

“It (the treaty) needs to adjust because of the changes in the situation we are facing in the South China Sea, Taiwan, North Korea,” Marcos said in a radio interview.

“The situation is heating up,” he continued.

Beijing is steadily building military and coast guard assets in the South China Sea, including missile-equipped manmade islands in the Spratly archipelago.

This year saw the greatest U.S. soldier participation at yearly war drills with the Philippines practically doubling the number of military bases Washington can visit.

The Philippines said the bases arrangement was for self-defense.

China claims the US-China accord is inflaming regional tensions.

Marcos said Monday that he and Biden should talk about their partnership and how to handle China.

Our partnership? How to lower rhetoric? “Because of heated words,” he said.