Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed the Southeast Asian nation’s commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Republic of the Marshall Islands after its visiting president, Hilda C. Heine, asked for increased collaboration in various areas such as labor, education and skills training, and agricultural production.
MANILA, (Philippine Government/Pacnews) — Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Marcos at the Malacañan palace on Thursday where she raised concern over China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea. She also urged the Philippine leader to consider coordinating with the Pacific Islands Forum.
“I want to raise concerns over PRC [People’s Republic of China] present actions in the South China Sea. This is a concern not only for us in the region as well who look forward to a secure region,” Heine said.
“We suggest that the Philippines consider contacting Pacific Islands Forum for support. First of all, the team of the Pacific Island countries there are numbers of the Forum,” she added.
The Philippines considers the PIF as an important platform for enhancing cooperation with the Pacific Island Countries.
President Heine assured President Marcos that they will assist the Philippines in whatever decision it will make as far as the PIF is concerned, saying they are willing to extend support to the country in the regional or international arena.
For his part, President Marcos extended his gratitude to President Heine for supporting the stand of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea saying the country is relying on support from international rulings.
“So, I hope that Marshall Islands will be able to support us on that. I think, we have the same interest and we have the same values,” Marcos told Heine.
The formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Marshall Islands span 35 years since its establishment on Sept. 15, 1988.
In 2023, total trade with Marshall Islands reached $36 million with exports valued at $3.5 million and imports at $32.4 million.
An estimated 1,500 Filipinos are working in Marshall Islands in the fields of clerical support, craft and trade, machine operators and professionals, among others while the Philippines recorded a total of 233 Marshallese tourists arriving in the country in 2022.
