THE Philippines and the United States on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) affirmed their commitment to their “ironclad” alliance, keeping peace and stability, and reinforcing freedoms of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe in Washington, underscored the importance of the alliance amid world developments.
“The Philippines-United States alliance remains important in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific,” Marcos said in his official social media accounts after his meeting with Hegseth.
Marcos said he talked with Hegseth and other US officials about deepening cooperation between Manila and Washington “especially through joint military exercises and the continued modernization of our Armed Forces.”
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), on social media posts, said Marcos and Hegseth affirmed each nation’s respective commitment to defense and security agreements such as the Mutual Defense Treaty.
RTVM said Marcos underscored that the Mutual Defense Treaty “remains the cornerstone of Philippines-US relations, especially in defense and security cooperation.”
“Reinforcing the commitment of both nations to the Treaty are existing agreements and various exchanges that have taken place between the two countries since Secretary Hegseth visited Manila,” RTVM added.
Marcos said Philippine-US ties must also continue to “evolve” amid developments in the world.
“The challenges that we face in the Philippines specifically are vis a vis the changing political geopolitical forces and the political developments around our part of the world. But again, this, I believe that our alliance, the United States and the Philippines have formed a great part in terms of preserving the peace, in terms of preserving the stability of the South China Sea,” he said.
“But I would even go as far as to say in the entire Indo-Pacific region and we are always very, very happy to continue to strengthen that relationship,” he added.
RTVM said Marcos and Hegseth also discussed the recent joint exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Military, and the president acknowledged the positive feedback from the country’s military personnel who were involved in the exercises.
MISSILE SYSTEMS
Hegseth said the US and Philippines have made “rapid progress” in terms of deterrence and keeping a free and open Asia Pacific region.
A transcript provided ng US defense department also showed Hegseth talking with Marcos about deploying more missile systems to the Philippines.
“Under President Trump and your leadership, Mr. President, we’ve made rapid progress enhancing real deterrence and upholding a free and open Asia Pacific through deepening our interoperability and expanding joint exercises,” said Hegseth.
These exercises, Hegseth said, include the annual Balikatan between US and Philippine troops, and the ongoing Talisman Sabre in Australia involving forces from several countries, including Australia, US, and Philippines.
“We’re also deploying new cutting-edge missiles and unmanned systems and revitalizing our defense industrial bases,” Hegseth also told Marcos.
Two US missile systems are in the Philippines — the Typhon or the Mid-Range Capability missile system, and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System or NMESIS.
Sought for a comment on the missile systems, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is waiting for details.
“But the overall posture of the Armed Forces is that we welcome all statements of support, all actions by our like-minded countries who support us in our stand in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Trinidad said the planned deployment would help deter Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
“The coming together of different countries to support the stand of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea is a very strong deterrent factor against the Chinese Communist Party,” he said.
“If you notice, it’s not only in the Indo-Pacific region but we have also countries from Northern America, from Europe who are expressing support and sending their ships to show that they are serious in providing not only statements but even actions of support to the stand of the country,” he added.
China has opposed the US deployment of the US equipment to the Philippines, saying these undermine the security stability in the region.
“Together, we must forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace, ensuring the long-term security and prosperity for our nations,” Hegseth said.
He said the “storied alliance” of US and Philippines “has never been stronger or more essential than it is today and together we remain committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty.”
Article IV of the 1951 agreement says an armed attack in the Pacific on either side “would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”
“And this pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our Coast Guard anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea,” said Hegseth.
‘PRIORITY THEATER’
Hegseth reiterated that the Asia Pacific region is a “priority theater” of the US, adding that that US is “committed to achieving peace through strength and willing to work with all nations who share this desire in the region.”
“We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute,” he said.
Hegseth also reiterated the US commitment to helping the Philippine military’s ongoing modernization program.
The Armed Forces is in the middle of acquiring modern equipment, including warships and fighter jets, to enhance its territorial defense capability.
“We’re proud to support our mutual economic vitality, including your efforts to modernize your armed forces and collective defense,” said Hegseth.
“And since our last meeting in Manila, during my first trip to the Asia Pacific in March, our teams have made remarkable strides,” he added.
Marcos and Rubio discussed the importance of the “ironclad alliance” between the Philippines and US, RTVM said.
“Both reaffirm their shared commitment to deterrence and reinforcing freedoms of navigation and overflight in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” RTVM said.
It added that the two leaders are also looking forward to maintaining regular high-level engagement between Manila and Washington “as friends, partners and allies, particularly in light of the 80th anniversary of the Philippines-U.S. diplomatic relations in 2026.”
