Update: PH-US Strategic Security and Economic Engagement

At a September 11 briefing, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez provided his perspective on recent developments and near-term plans regarding Philippines-U.S. strategic engagement following a series of high-level meetings, congressional visits and trade missions between the two countries in the recent months. Following his presentation, Ambassador Romualdez opened discussion with members of the diplomatic corps, media, and representatives of the U.S. State Department, US-Philippines Society, private equity firms and non-government organizations, that covered a broad range of topics from trade priorities, U.S. investments in the Philippines and the November presidential election, evolving regional security architecture, managing disputes in the South China Sea, and this month’s 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Ambassador Romualdez reported on the Philippines continued strong economic performance projected at 6 % annual real GDP growth amid global disruptions and slowing down of the economy of the People’s Republic of China, Philippines’ largest trade partner.

While high-level bilateral meetings have been put on hold until after the November 5 U.S. presidential election, talks on space and cyber-digital proceeded in May and July, along with exchanges on democracy and a maritime dialogue in Manila. Ambassador Romualdez reiterated his view that there is bipartisan U.S. congressional support for the Philippines, and commitments in security, defense and recently in the country’s economic prosperity led by Commerce Secretary Raimondo who visited Manila on a presidential trade mission. With the announcement of the Luzon Economic Corridor, the U.S., Japan and the Philippines trilateral commitment is taking a bold initiative to invest in the country’s infrastructure focusing in priority areas including clean energy, seaport modernization, telecommunications, logistics and food security. The Philippines values expanding engagements with like-minded countries, utilizing U.S. financial instruments and tools, multilateral platforms, and mobilizing the private sector.

Ambassador Romualdez also emphasized that with a strengthened defense and economic alliance that is more credible and operationally capable, the Philippines is an increasingly strong alliance partner of the United States. Consultations advance forward looking policies that embrace the rule of law, cooperation and democracy, human rights, combating the transnational crimes and maritime law enforcement, including through capacity building for prosecutors and criminal investigations.

On the South China Sea, the Philippines leadership in managing transparency and tensions in the South China Sea has received worldwide attention. The Philippines and China reached provisional agreement involving the Philippine rotational mission to provide humanitarian supplies to a Philippine Navy outpost and ongoing monthly or quarterly PH-China dialogue on the situation in the West Philippine Sea including in Escoda Shoal, was a hopeful sign.

“The objective of these meetings is to clarify the arrangement and not to bring this level of conflict with China, where the result (is no) turning back,” the Ambassador stated.

Ambassador Romualdez concluded his presentation highlighting investment opportunities in the green energy sector and critical minerals and stressing the importance of the reauthorization of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and continued discussions on a possible free trade agreement.

As the discussion continued, former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Thomas Hubbard made a general observation about a growing positive interest in the importance of the Philippines in Washington as well as in much of Asia, notably by South Korean business executives. He attributed these developments to President Marcos leadership and the country’s strategic geographical location as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific. The audience raised other issues, including the opening of U.S. markets and the need for more tangible investments, and attracting American investors and foreign direct investments in the Philippines, the role of private sector partnerships in infrastructure including the Manila International Airport and new airport construction led by the private sector.

Ambassador Romualdez discussed additional diplomatic approaches to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, including recent agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam on strengthening cooperation in humanitarian aid at sea and disaster relief, and conduct of joint coast guard maritime exercise promoting cooperation. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, as current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Washington DC (ACW) from September – December 2024 will lead discussions on these regional security issues.

Remarking on the upcoming conversations on the sidelines of 79th session of the UNGA, the Ambassador stated, “it’s an opportunity for us (Philippines) to be able to interact with many countries, especially like-minded countries that have expressed their concerns over the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea. We have a major problem and it’s a global problem.” Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo will lead the Philippine delegation in the UNGA summit.

“We hope for peaceful relations, but the only way is to continue to make sure that many countries with the same values that we have will continue to speak and say that you (China) are not going to go that far while we continue to try peacefully and have a discussion at the very least,” the Ambassador added. He underscored President Marcos foreign policy as “friends to all, but when a country challenges our territorial and sovereign rights, then we have to defend ourselves.”

The program’s co-hosts, the Philippine Embassy and the US-Philippines Society welcomed Senator Rita Sanders and recognized her commitment to Filipino American communities in Nebraska, and her contributions in the return by the U.S. of the Bells of Balangiga and the ship naming of USS Telesforo Trinidad, a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in honor of Telesforo Trinidad, the only Filipino in the U.S. Navy to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

The event also provided opportunities to taste Philippine pastries and engage in networking after the briefing.

Photo: (l-r): Ambassador Thomas Hubbard, Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, U.S. State Senator Rita Sanders (Nebraska), Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Ambassador Paul Jones and President Emeritus Amb John F. Maisto. 11 September 2024.