New US envoy preparing for travel to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Newly confirmed United States Ambassador Lee Lipton met with Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez following the Senate confirmation of the Florida businessman’s nomination, the US embassy in Manila said in a post on X.

The US embassy said Lipton is preparing to travel to the Philippines to take on his duties vice MaryKay Carlson, who ended her stint earlier this year.  

Lipton and Romualdez reportedly discussed matters of mutual interest anchored on advancing US-Philippine relations as friends, partners and allies.

During his confirmation hearing, Lipton declared that he will continue to advance US-Philippine relations amid China’s behavior in the Indo-Pacific Region.

“First and foremost, I support the ironclad alliance with the Philippines. I am aware of the Philippines’ strategy and I will work with Washington to determine the embassy’s responses,” Lipton said.

“My goal is to confront Chinese unlawful expansion and aggressive behavior. We must compete with China from a position of strength,” he said.

The US has been supportive of the Philippines amid continuing Chinese presence, harassment and aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Repeatedly warning that any armed attack on the Philippines will trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty, the US has been having periodic naval drills and other maritime activities along with other like-minded nations in the region.