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Marcos meets Austin, attends full honors ceremony at Pentagon


WASHINGTON —President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Wednesday morning.

Marcos, who's on an official visit, also marched and trooped the line at the Department of Defense grounds.

Present during the full honors ceremony were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, and Informations Secretary Ivan John Uy.

In his remarks before the meeting of Philippine and US officials, Austin told Marcos of the US' commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

"And let me tell you once again that our Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on our armed forces, coast guard vessels, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific including anywhere in the South China Sea," Austin said.

"So make no mistake Mr. President, we will always have your back in the South China Sea or elsewhere in the region," he added.

Austin said the Philippines and the US shared a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific "because a region governed by rules and rights help provide security and prosperity for our two countries and for the whole region."

He said he looked forward to having discussions on how to make the alliance between the two countries stronger, noting the addition of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites.

Austin said the new bilateral defense guidelines woud be taken up. —NB, GMA Integrated News

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