President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. intends to visit the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters located in Hawaii, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday.

In a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang, DFA Undersecretary Charles Jose said Marcos Jr. was invited to the headquarters and that the visit is already part of the President's schedule.

He added that the Chief Executive would also have a roundtable discussion with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies and meet the Filipino Community in Hawaii.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has been engaged in a long-running dispute with China over territory.

Jose said that the President will also be meeting with the Filipino community in Honolulu during his visit from 18 November to 19 November.

"I think the President will be focusing his visit in San Francisco, in Los Angeles and in Honolulu in meeting the Filipino community – so, I think that will be the main focus of his visit to these three American cities," Jose said.

However, he also acknowledged that the visit is significant given the recent trilateral agreement between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan.

"Well, of course, it adds a layer to the cooperation that we are trying to establish with like-minded states in order to promote what we have been advocating all along – a rules-based order especially in the maritime areas," Jose said.

Before visiting Honolulu, Marcos is expected to participate in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in San Francisco from 15 November to 17 November.

According to Jose, this is the second time that President Marcos Jr. is participating in the APEC Economic Leader's Meeting.

"For this year, the President is keen to push for financing a just, sustainable and affordable energy transition through partnerships with the business sector," Jose said.

"He will emphasize the need to invest more on clean energy to preserve and protect the environment while ensuring that we are energy secure and sufficient," he added.

APEC stated on its official website that its 21 member economies represent nearly 40 percent of the world's population, close to 50 percent of worldwide trade, and roughly 60 percent of the global GDP.

As of 2021, APEC member countries received over 60 percent of American goods exports, and seven out of the top 10 trading partners for the United States were part of the APEC organization.

Marcos will also have a working visit in Los Angeles from 17 November to 18 November.