Secretary Blinken’s Call with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo about issues of mutual concern, including ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty. Secretary Blinken and Secretary Manalo also exchanged ideas on how to reinforce U.S.-Philippines cooperation in the coming year, building on President Marcos’s official working visit to Washington, D.C., this past May.