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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider WPS tension a concern as US polls draw near

WPS tension a concern as US polls draw near

Published Apr 25, 2024 01:28 pm

WASHINGTON D.C., USA – The strength of the bilateral ties between the Philippines and United States hangs in the balance as Americans, including members of the Filipino-American community, vote their next leader between incumbent President Joe Biden of the Democratic Party and ex-president and Republican Party frontliner Donald Trump in the presidential elections on November 5. 

At the backdrop, the tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is a concern that casts shadow on the trajectory of the US government’s support to the Philippines to strengthen the latter’s capability to defend itself from China’s aggressive and coercive activities in the disputed waters. 

However, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez believes that “no major change” will occur in the way that the US, under the Biden administration, is supporting the Philippines in case Trump is elected.

“We're confident that there will be no major changes,” Romualdez told visiting Filipino reporters at the Philippine Embassy here on Wednesday night, April 24, (US time).

Romualdez, who has been in the post since 2017, said he has dealt with some of the previous Cabinet members during the Trump administration. 

“They said what they started, especially policies in the Indo-Pacific region, it was just continued by the Biden administration. To a certain extent, it's true,” the envoy said.

President Marcos has developed closer ties to Washington, a complete turnaround from the pro-China foreign policy of the previous Duterte administration.

On April 22 to 23, Philippine and US officials met in Washington D.C. for the 11th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD), which included discussions on how the two countries could bolster its cooperation on defense, security, and economic fields.

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