THE last time I checked, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (BBM) was to visit Washington, D.C. in June. This has been advanced to April 30 until May 4. White House spokesman Karine Jean-Pierre was quoted as saying US President Joe Biden will reaffirm Washington's 'ironclad commitment' to the defense of the Philippines and the two leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding US-Philippines alliance. But it is not clear what kind of visit it would be — state, official, working or private?

Does it have anything to do with the growing restiveness in the Philippines over its grant of military sites to the US under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) for its use in a possible war with China over Taiwan? Does Biden need to be reassured that the anti-EDCA protest is not threatening to spread far beyond Cagayan? These are some of the questions that come to mind as Biden prepares to meet with BBM.