Philippines’ Marcos says US presence crucial to regional peace

SINGAPORE: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said on Friday that the presence of the United States was “crucial to regional peace”, as the Southeast Asian country faces growing Chinese pressure in waters off its coastline.

Marcos has sought to deepen defence cooperation with the United States as he stands up to Chinese actions in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely.

“China´s determining influence over the security situation and the economic evolution of this region is a permanent fact,” Marcos said in a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a major security forum attended by defence ministers from around the world.

“At the same time, the stabilising presence of the United States is crucial to regional peace. It´s never a choice. Both countries are important.”

The Philippines, a treaty ally of the United States, is a key focus of Washington´s efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region as it seeks to counter China´s growing military might and influence.

Given its position in the South China Sea and proximity to self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own, Philippine support would be crucial for the United States in the event of any conflict.

The Philippines expanded a 2014 agreement last year to give the US military access to another four of its bases, taking the total to nine, including two in the far north of the country less than 450-kms from Taiwan.

The Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement allows US troops to rotate through and store defence equipment and supplies.