(UPDATE) THE three-way summit among leaders of the Philippines, the United States and Japan will include an agreement to maintain security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea (SCS), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

Marcos, who left Manila on Wednesday, is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit in Washington, D.C., on April 11 to discuss the three countries' agenda to advance their defense, security and economic interests.

Speaking to reporters, the President said details of the agreement among the three countries would be ironed out during his meeting with Biden and Kishida.

"Well, this is essentially an agreement between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines. Our cooperation in terms of maintaining security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. That is the essence of it," Marcos said when asked about the specific commitments and deals the Philippines could expect from the summit with Biden and Kishida.

"It will contain more details in the sense of how, in terms of cooperation, it will be implemented. So, that is what we are going to discuss now when we go to Washington and speak with Prime Minister Kishida and with President Biden," he added.

In his speech before leaving for Washington, Marcos described the three-way meeting as historic, as it aimed to advance trilateral cooperation among countries that have "long enjoyed warm and friendly relations and robust cooperation."

The visit, he said, builds upon his previous meetings with Kishida and US Vice President Kamala Harris in September in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as the meetings held by the foreign ministers and the national security advisers of the three countries last year.

During the summit, the President said he would underscore the importance of enhancing the economic cooperation of the Philippines with Japan and the US "with a view to promoting economic resilience and security."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Maharlika Presidential Hangar in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City before his departure to the United States on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Maharlika Presidential Hangar in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City before his departure to the United States on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Maharlika Presidential Hangar in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City before his departure to the United States on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Maharlika Presidential Hangar in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City before his departure to the United States on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Maharlika Presidential Hangar in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City before his departure to the United States on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN

"I intend to explore ways of advancing cooperation, especially in the areas of critical infrastructure, semiconductors, digitalization and cybersecurity, critical minerals, renewable energy, as well as defense and maritime cooperation," Marcos said.

"It is my intention also to exchange views with my US and Japanese counterparts on various regional security issues of mutual concern while continuing to reiterate the importance of upholding the rule of law and preserving the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.

On the sidelines of the summit, Marcos said he would have a one-on-one meeting with Biden, where they would continue the discussions on further strengthening the alliance between the Philippines and the US.

The President will also meet with business leaders in the US to invite them to invest in the Philippines.

He reiterated that the intention of the meeting is to "strengthen the partnerships" between the Philippines, the US and Japan.

"The main intent of this trilateral agreement is for us to be able to continue to flourish, to be able to help one another, and, of course... to keep the peace in the South China Sea and the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," he added.

The three-way summit will be held in the wake of China's provocative actions in the South China Sea.

The last month has seen two collisions near the Ayungin Shoal between vessels from China and the Philippines, and Chinese ships blasting water cannons at Philippine boats.

Both countries claim rights over the area — which sits at a vital resource-rich maritime crossroads for regional trade. In 2016, a tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ruled that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis — but Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

The US, a treaty ally of the Philippines, has repeatedly declared its "ironclad" commitment to defending the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea — to the consternation of Beijing.

On Sunday, the three nations, along with Australia, conducted a four-country naval exercise in the West Philippine Sea, part of the vast South China Sea that China claims almost entirely.

China said it opposed any action that further fuels tension in the region ahead of the summit.

"Defense cooperation between any countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability. We oppose cobbling together exclusive groupings and stoking bloc confrontation in the region," said Mao Ning, spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea have increased since Marcos assumed the presidency.

The President has repeatedly declared that the Philippines would not yield a single inch of its territory.

Very strong alliance

In Washington, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said the summit represented the formation of "a very strong alliance" vital for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Romualdez said the face-to-face session among the three leaders was timely, given "another big challenge in our part of the world."

Although not explicitly mentioning it, Romualdez suggested the increased aggressive maneuverings of China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as one of the vital topics in the leaders' gathering.

"Once again, our alliance is being called upon. A very strong alliance that is very important for peace and stability in our region. President Marcos has embarked on a continuing effort to join together with our friends and allies, not only the United States but also other friends who believe in freedom and democracy and uphold the rule of law," he said.

"The shared principles and collective actions of like-minded countries are of vital importance," he added.

Romualdez noted that the meeting is even more meaningful given the three nations' history in World War II.

"The leaders of the Philippines, United States, and Japan will convene for the historic trilateral summit. We now stand united with our only ally and former adversary to promote peace and prosperity and uphold the rule of law in our region," he said.

"This may have been unthinkable 82 years ago, but it shows us that relations between nations can indeed change," he added.

Free Indo-Pacific

Meanwhile, the White House advisor for Indo-Pacific strategy, Mira Rapp-Hooper, said the three-way summit was "a perfect representation" of three maritime democracies that support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

During a briefing at the Washington Foreign Press Center, she was asked to comment on China's opposition to the "exclusive grouping," referring to the US, Japan and the Philippines.

"I'm not going to opine too much on China's portrayal or sort of deign to project how Beijing will portray the summit," said Rapp-Hooper.

"What I will say is what we've said throughout the Biden administration, which is that the US-Indo-Pacific strategy and our groupings of alliances and partnerships are not about being against anyone or anything," she said.

"They're about what we're for, and that's very clear in our Indo-Pacific Strategy," Rapp-Hooper said.

She added: "We make clear that we stand together for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is prosperous, resilient, and secure, and we welcome into that approach all comers who share in that vision."

"Of course, this trilateral meeting comes at a very important time, as the Philippines has found themselves under increasing pressure from the PRC (People's Republic of China) in the South China Sea," she said.

"This should, of course, be taken as a sign that not only President Biden but Prime Minister Kishida wish to show their support and resolve for President Marcos and his handling of this incredibly difficult issue," Rapp-Hooper said.

"I think what you will see is a strong showing of support and solidarity among our three leaders for a common vision of a South China Sea that is governed by international law," she added.

Aside from security issues, infrastructure investments from the US and Japan in the Philippines will be another highlight of the summit, Rapp-Hooper said.

"What I can say is there will be some particularly important announcements related to infrastructure in particular, whereby the United States and Japan will agree to cooperate on their investments in the Philippines," she said.

"We do believe that together and working closely with the government of the Philippines, we will be able to deliver for the Filipino people by helping to work together on high-quality, high-standard infrastructure that makes a difference in the lives of everyday people," Rapp-Hooper said.

She said there were a number of areas for cooperation that they would be discussing with President Marcos, including energy security, which is a "very important focus for this government," and digital connectivity to make sure that Filipinos have access to reliable, trusted networks.

"If we can more effectively hone our trilateral cooperation, [it] will make the Philippines economy stronger and will affect the everyday lives of the Philippines people," Rapp-Hooper said.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other leaders in the House of Representatives expressed optimism ahead of the three-way summit.

"Economic cooperation lies at the heart of this trilateral meeting, with discussions aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and development opportunities among our nations. Our country's deeper economic integration with the United States and Japan will undoubtedly benefit our people in terms of jobs and livelihood opportunities and contribute to regional prosperity," Romualdez said.

"By strengthening our partnerships with like-minded nations, we can address security challenges effectively and promote peace and stability across the region," he added.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. expected President Marcos, Biden and Kishida "to agree on expanded economic cooperation among their nations."

"The economic advantages this summit could produce for us Filipinos are potentially enormous," Gonzales said.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said trade cooperation would most likely be enhanced" as an outcome of the talks.

"We have to remember that the US and Japan are among our country's biggest trading partners," Dalipe said.

Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez said the Philippines also expects increased military and financial help from the two countries.

"These two allies of ours are our largest and most generous sources of official development assistance," Suarez said.

Gonzales, Dalipe and Suarez pointed out that, other than economic gains, the Philippines and the Indo-Pacific region could expect peace benefits from the meeting.

"Presidents Biden and Marcos and Prime Minister Kishida will surely discuss peace and stability in the region, particularly in the West Philippine Sea," they said in a joint statement.

"The international community should ensure freedom of navigation and overflight there. Peace in this area will contribute to the economic development of the region," they added.

WITH REINA C. TOLENTINO