Manila: In light of rising regional tension, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that he will insist that US counterpart Joe Biden clarify the extent of Washington's commitment to defend his nation under a 1951 security agreement.
Amid worries about a rising likelihood of conflict in the South China Sea, the previous two Philippine administrations have urged the former colonial power, the United States, to be specific about the circumstances in which it would defend its ally under the Mutual Defence Treaty.
This weekend, Marcos and Biden will meet in Washington for talks in which the White House promises to reaffirm its "ironclad commitments to the defence of the Philippines."
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According to Marcos, "It (the treaty) needs to adjust because of the changes in the situation we are facing in the South China Sea, Taiwan, and North Korea," he said in a radio interview.
"The situation is heating up," he continued.
The call for clarification comes as Beijing continues to amass military and coast guard assets in the South China Sea, including man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago with missile systems within range of the Philippines.
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Additionally, it coincides with the Biden and Marcos administrations' efforts to strengthen their military partnership, which were on display this year at annual war games with the largest-ever US troop presence and the Philippines almost tripling the number of its military bases that Washington can use. The agreement in bases, according to the Philippines, was made for the country's self-defense.
China, however, claims that the agreement with the United States is escalating regional tensions.
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Marcos stated on Monday that he and Biden should talk about the specifics of their alliance and how to handle the situation with China.
"What is our joint venture? What steps can be taken to tame or lessen rhetoric? Because there have been heated words exchanged," he said.