Marcos To Seek Specifics On Defence From Biden At WH Meeting

Wires reporting that Philippines President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will 'seek specifics on defence commitments' from US President Joe Biden at their meeting at the White House a week today on 1 May. The Philippines and the US have recently engaged in their largest-ever set of joint military drills, while the US has been provided access to four more military bases in the Philippines this year. The increasingly closer military relations under Marcos comes in contrast to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who erred closer to China.

• The Philippine Daily Enquirer reports Marcos as stating "We will also look into the Visiting Forces Agreement and the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty) with the US because we have to evolve it. We have to adjust because there are changes in the situation we are facing in the South China Sea, in the midst of what is happening in Taiwan and North Korea. The situation is heating up in the region".
• Marcos Jr.: "Right now, the situation is heating up. Nations have been releasing strong statements. Of course, we are concerned about that and the US has always been our partner."