KEY ALLY. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III meets President Ferdinand Marcos in Malacañang. (File photo from Reuters dated February 2, 2023) WASHINGTON D.C., United States — United States (US) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) that Washington and Manila are not just allies but are 'family.' He also said US will always have the Philippines' back in the South China Sea. Austin made the remark in his opening statement prior to his meeting with Marcos at the Pentagon, where he cited how the Philippines has been an 'indispensable friend and ally' of the US 'for decades.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/214449/austin-to-marcos-were-your-family-we-have-your-back-in-south-china-sea

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