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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
July 22, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — National Security Adviser Eduardo Año met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week and exchanged views on the regional security situation, including the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, the National Security Council (NSC) said yesterday.
Rubio is also serving as national security adviser.
“The two NSAs exchanged views on the regional security situation, particularly in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, and future activities to further strengthen the alliance between the two nations in order to establish credible deterrence in the region,” the NSC said in a statement.
“They underscored the need to enhance deterrence in the SCS and WPS and the importance of maintaining peace and security in the region for the economic security of both the Philippines and the United States,” it said.
Año emphasized the inseparability of defense-security and economic security, noting that economic security is national security.
The officials also cited the importance of engaging with traditional allies and other like-minded partners to ensure a rules-based international order and a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
They expressed optimism for all future joint activities related to defense, security and industrial cooperation.
Rubio assured the Philippines of US commitment under the Trump administration. Año in turn thanked Rubio for the renewed and continued assurances and the strength of the alliance.
