South OC Times

Washington, DC – Today, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim (CA-40), Subcommittee Ranking Member Ami Bera (CA-06), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) issued a statement to welcome Philippine President Bongbong Marcos to the United States for the U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit.

"We welcome President Marcos to Washington D.C. for the inaugural U.S.-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit, aimed at advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific," expressed Chairwoman Young Kim.

Ami Bera, the Subcommittee Ranking Member, highlighted the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and the rule of law on the seas amidst tensions in the South China Sea, stating, "As the Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia continue to harass and obstruct Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, it is imperative that we uphold freedom of navigation and the rule of law on the seas."

Moreover, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul condemned Beijing's actions in the region, stating, "We condemn Beijing’s increasingly provocative behavior, including the use of water cannons, lasers, and ramming against Philippine vessels, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty."

The U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit serves as a platform for discussions on regional security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on countering challenges to maritime security and upholding international norms.