Manila: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to its defense treaty with the Philippines on Friday, pledging to deploy advanced military capabilities to bolster deterrence against threats, including what he described as Chinese “aggression”.
Hegseth met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., underscoring strong bilateral cooperation amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The discussions focused on security concerns in the South China Sea, where Manila has repeatedly accused Beijing of hostile actions.
“Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese,” Hegseth said.
He emphasized that the United States was not seeking conflict and described President Donald Trump as a leader committed to peace.
“President Trump seeks peace … but in order to bring that peace, we will be strong,” he stated during a press conference with Teodoro.
“Our allies will know we stand with them. Our admirals are prepared, and they will be properly equipped,” he added. “We’re rebuilding our military under President Trump.”
At a press conference with his Philippines counterpart, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled continued cooperation amid growing threats from China, emphasizing a shared commitment to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and in the South China Sea https://t.co/npzzcXNdV8 pic.twitter.com/htwHBGw5kt
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China’s Response
China rejected allegations of restricting freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, urging the United States to cease “instigating ideological confrontation” and “sowing discord” in the region.
“All along, it is the U.S. side that has been indulging its allies in provocations in the South China Sea, and it is the U.S. side that has repeatedly fabricated false propositions about China’s threat to freedom… in the South China Sea,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing.
Guo further cautioned the Philippines against aligning too closely with Washington, warning against military provocations.
China asserts broad territorial claims in the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Hegseth’s Asia Tour
The Philippines is the first stop on Hegseth’s Asia tour, which has been overshadowed by revelations that highly sensitive U.S. attack plans against Houthi militants in Yemen were leaked through a commercial messaging app involving a journalist.
Hegseth is scheduled to visit Japan next, where he will meet Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo over the weekend.
“We’re here in the Philippines to strengthen that partnership. We’ll be in Japan to do the same,” he said, coinciding with joint maritime drills involving the United States, Japan, and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
The exercises included Japan’s multi-mission frigate JS Noshiro, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal, and the U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup. This marked the eighth round of drills among the allied nations.
Special Forces Exercises & Military Enhancements
Hegseth sidestepped questions regarding the leaked military plans on the Signal app, stating that his priority was ensuring the U.S. defense department remained prepared and operationally ready.
He announced that the United States would deploy additional advanced capabilities to the Philippines, including the NMESIS anti-ship missile system and unmanned surface vehicles, which he described as “highly capable”.
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Additionally, both nations agreed to conduct bilateral special forces training exercises on the northernmost Philippine islands of Batanes, located close to Taiwan.
“Our partnership not only continues today, but we are doubling down on that partnership, and our ironclad alliance has never been stronger,” Hegseth said.
President Marcos welcomed the deepening military cooperation, calling Hegseth’s visit a strong signal of U.S. support for its treaty ally.
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“It sends a very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue to work together to maintain the peace in the Indo-Pacific region within the South China Sea,” Marcos said.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over disputed territories in the South China Sea, where repeated maritime confrontations have fueled regional instability.
