Marcos pushes strategic goals in DC as protests unfold
AP photo/FILE PHOTO
WASHINGTON — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began his official visit to Washington on Monday with a series of high-level meetings on defense, diplomacy and trade, as Filipino American activists held coordinated demonstrations across the city over human rights and foreign policy concerns.
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Unfazed by the protests, Marcos pressed ahead with talks aimed at strengthening US-Philippine military alliances and expanding economic partnerships. The visit comes at a critical juncture amid shifting geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and ahead of a looming US tariff on Philippine exports.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, attends a meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Monday, July 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Marcos opened his itinerary with a meeting at the Pentagon with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and ongoing joint military exercises such as Balikatan and Talisman Sabre.
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“The alliance between the Philippines and the United States has been crucial in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Marcos said, noting continued US support for modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Hegseth echoed the president’s remarks, describing the partnership as a “strong shield for peace.” He also pointed to $500 million in military assistance announced during his April trip to Manila.
Outside government buildings, around 100 Filipino American demonstrators gathered throughout the day in rallies organized by BAYAN USA, the Malaya Movement, Migrante USA and other diaspora organizations. The groups criticized increased US military presence in the Philippines and raised concerns about migrant rights and human rights back home.
Protesters vow to amplify the Filipino people’s calls for national sovereignty, genuine democracy, and the protection of human rights. Photo from BAYAN USA DMV
Demonstrations started early near Blair House, the president’s guest residence, then moved to key sites including the World War II Memorial and the State Department — where Marcos held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two discussed regional security, resilient supply chains, and progress on the Luzon Economic Corridor, a key infrastructure partnership launched last year under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
Inside the historic halls of diplomacy, the tone remained focused. A State Department readout described the US-Philippine relationship as “ironclad” and reaffirmed joint efforts aimed at maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In the afternoon, Marcos met with US intelligence officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, as well as executives from leading firms in health care, semiconductors and infrastructure. Participants included leaders from Bon Secours Mercy Health, Global Infrastructure Partners, KKR, Cerberus and the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said the meetings were part of a strategy to attract American investment in sectors aligned with Philippine development goals, including digital infrastructure, health services and microchip manufacturing.
“The semiconductor industry alone accounts for more than 50 percent of our exports,” Romualdez noted. “Deepening cooperation here is a national priority.”
While separate from the official itinerary, the protests added a vocal backdrop to the president’s day. Speakers at the rallies called for a foreign policy “rooted in Filipino interests” and raised concerns over deportation fears among immigrant communities and alleged rights violations in the Philippines. Organizers said demonstrations would continue through the remainder of the visit.
Marcos, however, remained focused on his objectives. No public event with the Filipino American community was scheduled, with Romualdez explaining the president’s visit prioritized “sensitive economic and defense discussions” as well as the pending 20 percent tariff on Philippine exports, which Marcos is expected to raise directly with President Donald Trump during a planned summit at the White House on Tuesday.
Marcos’ meetings throughout Monday underscored a central message of continuity in the US-Philippine alliance, even as the broader discourse surrounding that partnership plays out on the streets.
The official visit concludes Tuesday, with both diplomatic engagement and public demonstrations expected to continue until the president returns to Manila later this week.
