United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in Manila, emphasizing the need for the two nations to unite against China. Hegseth’s visit marks the beginning of a tour of Asia Pacific allies, with Manila being his first stop.
During the meeting at Malacañang Palace, Hegseth highlighted the importance of "peace through strength" and stressed that deterrence is vital, especially in the region facing threats from China. He acknowledged the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, which China claims as its territory, and urged the Philippines to stand firm in defending its interests.
Marcos responded positively, stating that Hegseth’s visit sends a strong message about the commitment between the US and the Philippines to strengthen their alliance. The meeting comes at a time when the US administration is actively trying to rally support from allies in the region to counter China’s growing influence.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also weighed in on the situation, calling China’s claim to over 90 percent of the South China Sea "the biggest fiction and lie." His remarks coincided with reports of recent confrontations between Philippine coastguard vessels and Chinese ships in the Scarborough Shoal.
After his visit to the Philippines, Hegseth plans to travel to Japan for discussions with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and to attend a memorial service for servicemen from World War II. This trip underscores the ongoing efforts by the US to bolster its alliances in the Asia Pacific region amid rising tensions with China.