MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of the United States’ presence in the Indo-Pacific, saying it is crucial to preserving a free, open, and peaceful region.

In his keynote address at the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Marcos said the Philippines-US alliance upholds the rule of law and ensures peace, security, and prosperity in the region.

“The road is turning, and I want to deliver this clear message to the United States: the place of the United States is here with us in the Indo-Pacific,” Marcos said.

The President noted the significant transformations occurring in the region, driven by globalization and the advancement of Asian societies, largely influenced by the United States. He added, “It will be crucial to the free and open nature of our region that your vigor, inventiveness, and resilience, essential drivers of the great American nation, continue to play a leading role in nurturing a strong and peaceful Indo-Pacific.”

Marcos stressed that while addressing geopolitical and economic challenges, the United States continues to play an irreplaceable role in global affairs, benefiting both the region and the United States itself.

“We remain confident that the United States, as a self-declared Pacific nation, will remain oriented and committed to the Indo-Pacific, as history has consistently proven,” he said.