Photo credit: Sec. Enrique Manalo

It looks like the Philippines and the US are tightening their grip on their alliance, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sitting down for their first in-person meeting in Germany. Their agenda? Tackling China’s “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea (SCS) and boosting economic cooperation.

The two top diplomats met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), where Rubio made it clear that the US is fully committed to its partnership with the Philippines. He even took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts, saying they discussed ways to strengthen the alliance and promote economic prosperity for both nations.

Manalo echoed the sentiment, calling the US-Philippine relationship “strong and committed” and emphasizing that deeper collaboration would make the alliance even more robust.

Beyond Security: Economic Cooperation in Focus

While maritime security remains a hot topic, the two also touched on economic cooperation—especially in key sectors like infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology, and energy. The US even reaffirmed its support for civil nuclear cooperation with the Philippines, which could be a game-changer in the country’s quest for energy security.

What About the US Foreign Aid Freeze?

One thing that remains unclear is whether Manalo brought up the US foreign aid freeze during his chat with Rubio. The Philippines has been trying to figure out how this move will affect existing projects, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has already started making an inventory of initiatives that might take a hit.

For now, both sides seem focused on reinforcing their alliance—whether in security, trade, or infrastructure. And with tensions still brewing in the South China Sea, this partnership will likely play a crucial role in shaping the region’s stability in the years to come.