Marcos visits US’ largest combatant command in Hawaii

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii on Monday (Philippine Time), where he was expected to have a “capability orientation” amid escalating conflict in the West Philippine Sea.

In a Facebook video posted earlier this morning, the chief executive could be seen arriving and meeting with US security officers, led by Commander Admiral John Aquilino.

According to Malacañang, the visit, which marks his last stop for this month’s US trip before flying home, was part of Marcos’ working visit to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters is America’s oldest and largest combatant command, with more than 380,000 personnel.

“The Command oversees all US military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes 36 nations, 14 time zones and more than 50 percent of the global population,” the Palace said.

In an earlier statement, Malacañang said Marcos would have a “capability orientation” for the West Philippine Sea Support.

He would also have a roundtable discussion at the Daniel Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies.

Marcos’ visit came amid China’s increasing aggression in the disputed waters, with the former using a water cannon anew against a Philippine vessel conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

Last Friday, the president said he would discuss measures to prevent the further escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Marcos is expected to return to the Philippines tonight after participating in the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, California.