Philippines to review treaty agreements with US: President

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - In view of the changing environment in the region, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines said Monday that the country will “seek a review and assessment” of the treaty agreements signed with the US.

Manila will seek a review and assessment of the treaty agreements signed between the Philippines and the US, “as well as enhance partnerships on climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Marcos said, according to his office.

He will travel to Washington, DC for meetings with his American counterpart Joe Biden later this week during his five-day trip. It will be his 10th overseas visit since being inaugurated last year.

The archipelago nation is Washington’s oldest ally in the region besides being the largest recipient of US military aid.

Marcos called for a “review” of the agreements as the situation around the Philippines has changed.

The Philippines and the US have signed Visiting Forces Agreement (1999) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (1951) besides the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

“Climate change is a big deal and we will be asking for help on what else we can do and what other strategy we can use,” he added.

Marcos’ trip to the US will follow South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Washington visit.

Yoon embarked on Monday on a six-day trip to the US for a summit with Biden as the two nations mark 70 years of their alliance.

It came at a time when North Korea fired missiles while Seoul and Washington held large-scale military drills on the Korean Peninsula.

Under the Yoon administration, ties with Japan have also improved with the South Korean president saying "he cannot accept the notion Japan "must kneel because of our history 100 years ago."

Meanwhile, US customs officials have told South Korean companies to closely “monitor their supply chains to ensure their products exported to the US do not involve China's Xinjiang region, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

It came as the US implements the new US law that bans products made there over forced labor concerns.

Beijing has rejected the US law and the concerns of alleged human rights.