For successful Trilateral Summit that puts into perspective navigational freedom

HOUSE leaders on Sunday lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. for the recent success of his Trilateral meeting in Washington D.C. with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The administration lawmakers, all members of the “Young Guns” in the chamber, were very glad and elated about the outcome of the Philippines’ strengthened diplomatic and military alliance with the US and Japan, especially in light of China’s heightened aggression over the West Philippine Sea.

“The summit shows a concrete way forward for deeper cooperation among the Philippines, US and Japan as natural partners linked together by the Pacific Ocean,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said over what he described as “unprecedented engagement.”

Adiong’s other colleagues said this showed how “hardworking our President is,” who always bear in mind the Filipinos’ welfare, in this case is protecting the country’s maritime territorial integrity by ensuring that not an inch is given away to encroachments, despite Beijing’s repeated bullying.

“The summit underscored the importance of multi-layered collaboration among allies to strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law amid the various crises in the world right now,” Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said.

For her part, Taguig Rep. Pammy Zamora said that with the recent historic Trilateral meeting, “we look forward to significant progress in our bilateral and trilateral cooperation, including the conclusion of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan.”

House Deputy Majority Leader and PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles said the “first-ever summit affirms the strengthening of trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, US and Japan for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Another administration lawmaker, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega said “it was all worth it.” “The dialogue between the three leaders gives us a higher sense of peace of mind, knowing fully well that we are not alone in this journey, that we have allies who are sympathetic to our cause.”

As far as House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun is concerned, this is a “victory on both the diplomatic and military fronts of governance.” “This cooperation guarantees the commitment of each of the three countries to ensure freedom of navigation on the western side of the Philippines.”

House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Jil Bongalon remarked for his part, said he is glad that the three heads of state “acted in unison and were in agreement in protecting the free flow of trade in the body of water, and have committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, including the West Philippine Sea.”

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco