US reaffirms strong ties with Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Ties between the Philippines and the United States have so improved that perhaps President Aquino and US President Barack Obama “might be friends in Facebook already,” US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said last night.

At an embassy reception on the eve of the Fourth of July, which also marks Philippine-American Friendship Day, Thomas reaffirmed bilateral ties, which he said are based on shared history and shared values of democracy and peace.

“Our relationship is stronger than ever,” Thomas said as he cited the two countries’ alliance that is “underpinned” by the Mutual Defense Treaty. “Ours is a relationship that was forged in sacrifice and struggle.”

The Philippines is increasingly turning to Washington for assistance amid a standoff with China over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Washington has said that it wanted territorial disputes to be settled peacefully and in accordance with international law.

Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing was among the guests at the reception celebrating the 236th anniversary of US independence.

Thomas did not refer specifically to the territorial dispute, but he cited his country’s partnership with the Philippines “in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual responsibilities.”

He urged the two countries to work together for the achievement of “shared goals,” noting that the two have much to celebrate together, among them Manny Pacquiao, American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Sanchez and Spoelstra are Filipino-Americans.

Thomas, who is learning to speak Filipino, opened his speech with “Malakas ang ulan (The rain is heavy)...” but quickly switched back to English.