US lawmakers tell Marcos of support for PH amid latest China harassment

Members of a US congressional delegation have expressed support for the Philippines amid the latest act of harassment by China in the West Philippine Sea. 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met the American lawmakers on Tuesday.

“We share your concern about China’s aggression with regard to many of the issues around the Philippines," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told Marcos.

"We stand with you and we want to continue to stand by you, and with you, and to push that aggression back appropriately,” she added.

Gillibrand assured Marcos of the delegations’ support to the Philippines, which she considered an ally and a friend to the US.

She expressed concern over China’s aggression in the WPS despite the international ruling that favors the Philippines.

Marcos is hoping that his meeting with the US congressional delegation would be an opportunity to discuss the present geopolitical complications in the region.

''I am happy, very happy to welcome all of you to the Philippines and I hope that the time that you will spend here will be a productive time where we are able to discuss further the situation concerning the Philippines and the geopolitical complications that we are facing presently," Marcos said.

"Thank you once again for your visit,'' he added.

Gillibrand said the US is grateful to have the Philippines as an ally. 

''We have such a strong friendship with the Philippines, because we have four million FIlipinos in the United States, and we consider them our brothers and sisters and our neighbors and so we are very grateful for all contributions of the FIlipino community in the United States,'' Gillibrand said. 

Other US officials present were Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Roger Marshall,  Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Cynthia Lummis, Senator Michael Bennet, and  Representative Adriano Espaillat. 

Philippine officials include Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil. —NB, GMA Integrated News