MUNICH, Germany — Reaffirming the United State's commitment to its 'ironclad' alliance with the Philippines, US Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio told foreign affairs secretary Enrique Manalo that Washington was eager to build "an even more invested and enduring relationship" with the Philippines as the two officials discussed China's "destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea during their first meeting in Germany.

The two high-ranking officials on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) where Rubio vowed that America would remain steadfast as the country's staunchest ally—this despite a foreign assistance 'freeze' ordered by US President Donald Trump.

"Had the opportunity to meet with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo during the Munich Security Conference. We discussed how we can strengthen the US-Philippine Alliance to address China's destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and increase the economic prosperity of our citizens," Rubio posted on the social media platform X.

For his part, Manalo replied to Trump's secretary of state that Manila is fully committed in working with the US "to further strengthen economic and security ties" between the two countries.

"A great first in-person meeting with Secretary Rubio at (MSC 2025). A strong and committed Philippine-US partnership in various areas will contribute to a more robust alliance," he, too, made a post on the same platform.

According to the US State Department, aside from more investments, the two officials also discussed economic cooperation on infrastructure, critical minerals, information technology and energy resource, including under civil nuclear cooperation.

Manalo previously expressed hope that on meeting with Rubio, he would be able to clarify what assistance in the Philippines would be affected by the US foreign aid freeze but it appears that the issue was not brought up in his talk with the US official.

But even without clarification, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Ariel Nepomuceno revealed that they had already gone on to make an inventory of all projects that would be affected by the pause as well as recommendations for their unimpeded implementation.

"The next steps should be immediately outlined to ensure the timely and efficient implementation of each initiative," Nepomuceno opined.