On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I send my warmest congratulations to the people of the Philippines as you celebrate your Independence Day on June 12.
Today, I reaffirm the longstanding United States-Philippines alliance and celebrate the vibrant ties between our peoples, rooted in our long and interwoven history and shared sacrifice.
The United States is proud of its work with the Philippines to realize our shared ideals as democracies, uphold international law, pursue inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and promote human rights. Recent strides in scientific and technology cooperation, economic investment, and security collaboration, among many other areas, reflect the mutual priority we place on this pivotal relationship. As we work together to uphold international law in the South China Sea, the United States remains unwavering in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty. More broadly, we remain committed to working alongside the Philippines, as friends, partners, and allies, as we strive for a safer, more prosperous world.