United States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim (left), Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez (center) and US Ambassador Atul Keshap (right) at the launch of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the US on March 26, 2021 at the Philippine Embassy in Washington. (US Embassy in the Philippines Information Office)
The Philippines and the United States, long-time allies whose relations were put to a test under the Duterte government, will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties in July.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez and US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim launched the campaign to celebrate the milestone on Saturday, March 27 in Washington.
Romualdez said this celebration signifies the “depth and quality” of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.
“Our ties have withstood the test of time and have served both our countries and peoples well,” he said at the Philippine Embassy in the US capital.
The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the US formally started on July 4, 1946, the same time that both countries signed the Treaty of Manila, which granted the Philippines independence from US control.
2021 is also the 70th year of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US.
For US ambassador Kim, this diplomatic relationship can be further developed.
“Developing it starts with the warmth, affection, and mutual respect between our two countries,” the envoy said.
There are some four million Filipinos in the US. About 350,000 US citizens live in the Philippines and some 650,000 visit the country yearly. Ian Gabriel Trinidad