U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held a first phone call with the Philippines’ foreign minister, telling him the Trump administration’s commitment to Manila is ironclad. They also discussed Beijing's "dangerous and destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea.

The US secretary of state opens his term by reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the Philippines and other regional allies.

"Secretary Rubio conveyed that (China's) behavior undermines regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law," the U.S. State Department said in a statement on his call with Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.

The Philippine Coast Guard has entered its third week of actively challenging its Chinese counterparts, including a 12,000-ton “monster” China Coast Guard cutter within the country’s exclusive economic zone off Western Luzon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea in his early days in office, as he discussed the contested waterway with counterparts from the Philippines and Indonesia.

The United States under the administration of newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump affirmed its “ironclad commitment” to the Philippines amid the “dangerous” actions of China in the South China Sea.

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines says that nearly 200 Afghan nationals have been flown on to the United States after having their special immigration visas processed in the Philippines.

Cuts US off from WHO * Leaves Paris climate accord * Immigration restrictions set WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed a series of orders directing

Gunmen have killed two soldiers and wounded 12 others who were deployed to secure a U.N. livelihood project in the southern Philippines.

Donald Trump landed in Washington on Saturday (Sunday) ahead of his inauguration, with the billionaire Republican set to attend a series of events and celebrations before reclaiming the presidency.

Manila, Washington, and Tokyo leaders set a meeting this weekend to strategize on security cooperation amid regional challenges.

Japan and the Philippines plan to convey to President-elect Donald Trump the urgent need for the U.S. to remain committed to upholding the rule of law in an Asian region where China’s actions are caus