Marcos thanks UK for Indo-Pacific stand
President Marcos on Saturday thanked the United Kingdom for its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and its support for the Philippines in terms of foreign direct investments (FDIs).
The President made the remarks after his meeting in Malacañang with UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, who arrived in Manila on Saturday for a one-day official visit.
Mr. Marcos later took to social media to thank the United Kingdom for its commitment to strengthening their bilateral relations.
“The Philippines values its strong partnership with the UK, from trade and investment to defense and energy. As our largest foreign direct investor, the UK continues to play a crucial role in driving our economic growth,” the President said.
Last December, the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said the UK is the Philippines’ No. 1 source of FDIs, amounting to 585.74 million pounds, or P44.13 billion.
During the meeting, the President also expressed optimism that the two nations would further bolster people-to-people exchanges as they mark the 80th anniversary of their bilateral relations in 2026.
The Philippines and the United Kingdom formally began diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.
200,000 OFWs in UK
Mr. Marcos said overseas Filipino workers in the UK are grateful for welcoming them. There are around 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) working in the UK’s information technology (IT), aviation, hospitality and health care sectors.
The Chief Executive added that since 2001, more Filipino engineers and IT experts have been working with the UK’s telecommunications, software and e-commerce solutions firms.
“That’s a very clear indication of how strong our relations have become in many, many areas. So I’m sure your visit will be a symbol of that strengthening relationship,” the President said.
Besides paying a courtesy call on Mr. Marcos, Lammy also met with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo to review bilateral cooperation.
“Recognizing the gains of both the Philippines and the UK, we agreed to continue participation and exchanges in joint military exercises and maritime patrols, as well as port calls of British naval vessels,” Manalo said.
Aside from defense cooperation, the two ministers also discussed economic and infrastructure development, such as the launch in London in March of the PH-UK Joint Economic Committee (Jetco).
Manalo said Jetco aims to develop cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture and energy, including renewables, between the two allies.
For his part, Lammy said in the joint press briefing: “Today, we’re charting a new course for our relationship amidst a lot of global volatility, and we must strengthen ties with like-minded partners, like the Philippines.”
“We are countries that are committed to international law. We are countries that are committed to the rules-based order. We are countries that take our obligations under the UN Charter seriously,” Lammy said.
Lammy was also scheduled to meet with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and officials of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. —WITH A REPORT FROM REUTERS
