Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo where the hot issue of the West Philippines Sea issue was discussed.
It is here that the two countries allegedly strengthened their strong alliance amid Beijing’s strengthened military presence in the disputed islands.
When Pompeo called Sec. Locsin, the two discussed recent changes in US policy on maritime claims in the West Philippines Sea and US support for the position of Southeast Asian countries in promoting their sovereign rights and interests in accordance with international law. “
He also discussed opportunities to further strengthen US-Philippine maritime cooperation despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s ban on Philippine participation in any military exercises in the West Philippines Sea.
Earlier on Wednesday, the 33rd ASEAN-US Dialogue was held via videoconference where ASEAN Senior Officials and United States Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, David R. Stilwell exchanged views on regional concerns.
Here officials stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security in the West Philippines Sea.
