Washington, 22 July (H.S.): Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon to reaffirm the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and discuss shared security concerns in the Asia-Pacific on Monday. Hegseth stated the alliance is stronger than ever, emphasizing commitment to mutual defense against armed attacks in the Pacific, including the South China Sea. The U.S. prioritizes the Asia-Pacific, planning collaboration with the Philippines and like-minded nations to promote peace through strength, avoiding confrontation but ensuring readiness.

Marcos highlighted the importance of the Philippines as a U.S. ally for seven decades, especially regarding its strategic position in the South China Sea. Hegseth expressed support for enhancing the Philippines’ economic vitality and modernization of its armed forces. He commended the recent Balikatan military exercise, involving over 14,000 participants from multiple nations, which focused on readiness in various domains including air, land, sea, and cyber operations.

The Secretary also mentioned efforts to deploy advanced missiles and unmanned systems, imagining a robust shield for deterrence and long-term security for both nations. Feedback from Philippine military personnel indicated that the Balikatan exercise was extremely beneficial, fostering better cooperation with U.S. forces and other regional allies.

Marcos expressed satisfaction with the collaboration to modernize the Philippine military, emphasizing the alliance’s role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. He expressed optimism about continuing to strengthen the relationship, acknowledging the significant contributions of the U.S.-Philippines partnership to regional security.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar