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Trump Hails “Beautiful Visit” with Marcos, pledges Ammunition Prowess for Philippines
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Washington D.C. – Former President Donald Trump lauded his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as a “beautiful visit,” emphasizing a strengthened military and economic partnership between the two nations. Trump,who met with Marcos at the White House,claimed credit for a shift in US-Philippine relations,though the pivot began after the 2022 election of marcos,prior to Trump’s return to the political forefront.
Trump Claims Credit for Philippine Pivot
Trump asserted that his management woudl have steered the Philippines away from closer ties with China,a path previously explored by Marcos’ predecessor,Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte’s tenure was marked by a more China-friendly stance and friction with the US over human rights concerns, particularly during the Obama and Biden administrations. Duterte is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal court for his aggressive anti-drug campaign.
“I just don’t think that would have been good for you,” Trump stated, referring to the Philippines’ potential alignment with China. he credited himself with the subsequent shift in policy,despite the move towards Washington commencing after marcos’ election in 2022.
Military modernization and Ammunition Hub
Beyond a potential trade agreement, Trump indicated a commitment to “work together militarily” with the Philippines. He described Marcos as a “very tough” negotiator and expressed his admiration for the philippine leader, stating, “It was a great honor to be with the President. He is highly respected in his contry, as he should be. He is also a very good, and tough, negotiator. We extend our warmest regards to the wonderful people of the Philippines.”
A cornerstone of this enhanced defense cooperation is the proposed ammunition manufacturing facility in Subic Bay, Zambales.Trump highlighted the strategic importance of this project, stating, “We’re gonna have all the speedy missiles, the speedy ones, the slow ones, the accurate ones, the ones that are slightly less accurate.” He projected that within months, the US and its allies would possess “more ammunition than any country has ever had.”
This enterprising project is part of a broader US-Philippines defense cooperation agenda under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a response to escalating tensions in the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region. The US House Committee on Appropriations has already directed relevant departments to assess the feasibility of establishing such a facility in Subic Bay.
Philippines welcomes US Defense Cooperation
President Marcos welcomed the proposed US ammunition hub and other defense and security deals, deeming them “necessary.” He articulated that the ammunition production initiative aligns with the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture,with US support aimed at bolstering the nation’s indigenous defense capabilities.
“What we consider part of the modernization of the Philippine military is really as a response to the circumstances that surround the situation around the South China Sea,” Marcos explained. He further elaborated that this collaboration represents the United States assisting the Philippines in its defense program, enabling self-reliance and the ability to “stand on our own two feet, whatever the circumstances that occur in the future.”
Regarding the potential hosting of additional US missile systems, marcos reiterated that any military modernization efforts are a direct response to the evolving security environment. “We would certainly like any kind of military spending – we would wish that it wasn’t necessary, but it is,” he concluded.