US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton on Saturday said no announcement on the proposed Pax Silica Economic Security Zone was planned during or after the 2026 ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Manila this month.
In a statement, Lipton clarified that no such announcement had been planned, adding that decisions on the initiative would be made in full consultation with the Philippine government.
“As the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, I would like to address comments in the media about an announcement on the Pax Silica Economic Security Zone to occur during or after the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Manila this month,” Lipton said.
“No such announcement on the Pax Silica Economic Security Zone was ever planned,” the ambassador said.
Lipton added that discussions on the initiative would include a thorough assessment of its potential impact on all stakeholders.
“As stated previously and as part of this process, we expect rigorous discussions on impacts to all stakeholders,” he said.
The Philippines joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative this year, which seeks to strengthen global supply chains and promote investment in advanced manufacturing.
The proposed project includes the establishment of a 4,000-acre advanced manufacturing zone across the Luzon region.
Lipton said Washington looks forward to working with the Philippine government to advance the initiative, which aims to secure supply chains, attract quality investments, support economic growth and generate jobs for Filipinos.
“We look forward to working alongside the government of the Philippines about this exciting initiative to secure supply chains and attract quality investment in support of economic growth and jobs at home for the Filipino people,” he said.
US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Manila.
