President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. thanked the United States Senator Roger F. Wicker, for its continuing support, particularly in the modernization of the Philippine military following a courtesy call in Malacanang.

Wicker, chairman of United States Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), accompanied by Senator Deb Fischer and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson made the visit to discuss how to further strengthen the partnership between the Philippines and the United States, taking note of the longstanding relationship between both countries.

”We are of course greatly appreciative of all the support that the United States has given us in the face of all the challenges that we in the Philippines are facing and the continuing support that you have given us, with regard to the modernization of our Armed Forces as the part of our response to those challenges that we are facing and we hope to continue working with you to an even greater extent,” Marcos told the US lawmakers.

Wicker for his part, thanked the Philippines for its support.

”Our relationship is one of the most important and I would say, one of the most growing in terms of closeness that we have… so this means very much to us…” Wicker said.

In April, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel ”Babe” Romualdez said the country plans to seek a long-term loan from Washington to acquire 20 “brand-new” F-16 fighter jets and other defense equipment.

Earlier, Marcos expressed confidence that the US would defend the Philippines should it face security challenges, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

He even cited the Trump administration’s “ironclad commitment” to the Philippines amid the “dangerous” Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

Manila and Washington have an existing Mutual Defense Treaty, a 1951 defense pact that binds the two allies to come to each other’s aid from aggression and help defend the other party.