MANILA, Philippines — United States (US) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday reaffirmed the US’ ironclad commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines amid what he called the “threats from the Communist Chinese” in the region.
Hegseth emphasized the strong alliance, friendship, and cooperation between the US and the Philippines during his meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday.
During the meeting, Hegseth said that US President Donald Trump was “very committed” to the US alliance with the Philippine government, particularly in the defense sector.
“I had a chance to speak just a few minutes ago to our president, President Trump, who sends his regards to you as well, thinks very fondly of this great country, is very committed to the alliance that we have, to the friendship that we have, the cooperation that we have,” Hegseth told Marcos.
“And he and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the Mutual Defense Treaty and to the partnership, economically, militarily, which our staffs have worked on diligently for weeks and weeks and months,” he added.
Hegseth, who is in the Philippines as part of a trip to Asia, said Washington has a “great interest” in expanding its military cooperation with Manila, saying it was “mutually beneficial” and “critically important” for both countries.
The Philippines has been on the front lines of China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, which have prompted Manila to build stronger security alliances with friendly countries.
China seeks to assert its claim over the bulk of the South China Sea, despite an international ruling denying its sovereignty over the disputed waters.
“Because as we’ve talked about, peace through strength is a very real thing. Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the Communist Chinese and that friends need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there’s free navigation,” Hegseth said.
“Whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognize that your country has stood very firm in that location and in defense of your nation,” he added.
The US Defense chief expressed optimism that he would have “deeper” conversations about the two nations’ partnership during his stay in the Philippines.
Hegseth said the decision to visit the Philippines first was intentional and significant.
“So we are honored to be here, our whole team is honored to be here, to engage in even deeper conversations about partnership in detail. And thank you for your leadership in being a friend to the United States. We look forward to many more opportunities to work together,” he said.
Hegseth’s trip to the country marks the first visit of a high-ranking official from the Trump administration to the Philippines. It is part of his Indo-Pacific tour aimed at advancing security objectives with key government officials and meeting with US and Philippine military forces.
Bilateral defense and security engagement remains a key pillar of the two nations’ bilateral relations and is carried out within the framework of the MDT, the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and other bilateral agreements.
The 1951 MDT, the longest-running defense pact, aims to step up the defense and security cooperation between Philippine and US troops.
Signed on Aug. 30, 1951, the MDT is an accord that stipulates that the Philippines and the US would support each other in case one of them is attacked by an external party.
‘Greatest force for peace’
For his part, Marcos expressed optimism that Hegseth’s brief visit to the Philippines would be “extremely productive,” charting a roadmap for the two nations’ shared future and prosperity, despite the “complicated” geopolitics in the region.
This, as the President acknowledged the US as the “greatest force” in maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
“Your visit to the region, and especially the fact that you have come to the Philippines as your first stop, is a very strong indication and 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,” he said.
Marcos said that the US remained the Philippines’ sole treaty ally and a key partner in maintaining peace in the region.
“You are our only treaty partner and continue to be the supporter for peace in this part of the world. And we have always taken, we have always understood the principle that the greatest force for peace in this part of the world would be the United States. And that is why it is very important,” he added.
Marcos then highlighted the deep historical ties between the two nations, saying friendship with the US is “inherent” among Filipinos.
“Well, being a friend to the United States is something that is inherent with most Filipinos, considering the relationship that we have had over a hundred years in various forms,” he said.
The Philippines and the US established formal diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946.
