Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on May 30 to discuss joint efforts to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
The high-level talks underscore America’s deepening military cooperation with Manila as tensions escalate in contested South China Sea waters.
The meeting built upon prior discussions held in Manila on March 28, when Hegseth reaffirmed America’s commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty — the cornerstone of what officials describe as the “ironclad” U.S.-Philippines alliance.
Hegseth praised the Philippines for standing firm against China’s aggressive tactics targeting lawful Philippine maritime activities. The Defense Department noted that the two leaders celebrated the recent conclusion of Exercise BALIKATAN.
This year’s iteration marked the largest and most complex joint training exercise in the alliance’s history. The massive war games showcased America’s deployment of increasingly sophisticated military hardware to the region.
Advanced systems included the Typhon missile system and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. The exercises also featured highly capable unmanned surface vessels, signaling a new era of autonomous warfare.
Both secretaries emphasized how such joint training enhances deterrence against potential Chinese aggression and committed to continued progress in strengthening defense cooperation between their nations.
The leaders stressed the importance of partnership and transparency in their approach to deterring China. Their discussions focused on practical steps to further enhance alliance readiness across the Pacific theater.