US Secretary of State Blinken and Defense minister Austin meet President Marcosbr br US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin receive a welcome ceremony from Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos junior in Manila ahead of "2+2" talks with their Philippine counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro.br br The US foreign and defense ministers are in Asia to strengthen a latticework of regional alliances as Washington counters China's growing military and diplomatic influence.