BASCO, Batanes —U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton visited Batanes on November 5 to demonstrate America’s sustained commitment to a safe, secure, and more prosperous future for the people of the United States and the Philippines. 

The visit comes during a consequential year for the bilateral relationship in 2026—the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty, which forms the cornerstone of the ironclad U.S.-Philippines Alliance.

“I am committed to deepening the United States’ connections all across the Philippines – from Batanes to Mindanao – for the benefit of Americans and Filipinos,” Ambassador Lipton said.  “The United States has made significant contributions in Batanes through infrastructure investments, security cooperation, and assistance for disaster preparedness and response.  We look forward to accomplishing more to make both our countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

In Basco, Ambassador Lipton met with Governor Ronald Aguto, Jr. to discuss ways to deepen longstanding, historical ties.

“Thank you for always being a steadfast friend.  There is no partner more important to Batanes than the United States, and we welcome the good Ambassador and all Americans to visit our islands,” Governor Aguto said.

Ambassador Lipton saw firsthand how the United States helps the Philippines prepare for emergency disaster response when he toured a U.S.-funded humanitarian supply depot that stores emergency logistics supplies and Philippine government family food packs. 

This facility is a critical example of how America helps the Philippine government and the people of Batanes improve disaster response and preparations.

Ambassador Lipton also met Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command Lieutenant General Aristotle Gonzalez at Mahatao Forward Operating Base, a facility established as part of the Philippines’ archipelagic defense strategy. 

There, he saw firsthand the professionalism and dedication of AFP personnel tasked with monitoring maritime traffic through the Bashi Channel and Luzon Strait.  Their work is key to enhancing maritime domain awareness and supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Batanes, the Philippines’ northernmost province, overlooks the Bashi Channel, a major deep-water waterway strategically connecting the South China Sea to the Philippine Sea and the Western Pacific.

Batanes’ proximity to Taiwan—Mavulis Island, the northernmost Philippine islet in Batanes, is about 112 kilometers south of Taiwan’s Orchid Island—led to recent claims by Chinese academics and state media that Batanes is a natural geographical extension of Taiwan and lacks a valid legal or historical connection to the Philippines.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs, however, strongly denounced the claims as “ludicrous,” “baseless,” and a “joke.” Both reaffirmed that Batanes has been legally administered as a Philippine province since 1909 and annexed under Spanish rule in 1783.

The Philippines and its allies, including the United States and Japan, have increased security cooperation, infrastructure monitoring, and joint exercises to fortify the Batanes frontier. – U.S. Embassy / Taktikom Research

COVER PHOTO: Ambassador Lipton and wife Erika pose with Ivatan cultural performers in Basco, Batanes, on November 5.