Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said the US-Japan-Australia-Philippines grouping known as the Squad could gather in Manila next month. Liberty Times on Oct. 23 cited an exclusive from the South China Morning Post.
According to Liberty Times, Romualdez told the South China Morning Post in an interview published on Oct. 22 that the four countries may meet in Manila ahead of the ASEAN summit. The informal security grouping resembles the Quad of the US, Japan, Australia and India, with the Philippines in India's place. An unnamed source familiar with the talks called the chance of a meeting ‘very high’.
광고 문의 · 300×250The report said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Oct. 20 that Quad leaders will meet in Manila next month, their first summit in over two years. On the calendar, the Philippines hosts a defence ministers' meeting in Cebu on Oct. 28-29, with a leaders' meeting in Manila on Nov. 16-18.
Elevation and an ‘ASEAN NATO’
Romualdez said whether the grouping is raised to leaders' level depends on what officials agree on during the ASEAN meetings. He said President Marcos prefers a ‘multilateral’ approach built on seven to eight defence agreements. He again voiced hope that ASEAN might one day handle its own security like NATO, though Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro rejected the idea in 2024, citing differences among members.
Beijing's position
China's government has not been confirmed to have formally responded to these remarks. After past Quad foreign ministers' meetings, the Chinese foreign ministry said China's activities in the relevant waters are lawful and justified, and Beijing has long argued that small blocs do not serve regional stability. The same report said Trump plans to attend the APEC summit in Shenzhen after the Manila meetings and meet Xi Jinping, and that Marcos will also attend and hopes for at least a ‘good dialogue’.
