President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a courtesy call at Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace, on March 28, 2025. This marks the first visit  by a high-ranking official from the Trump Administration to the Philippines. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

MANILA — The United States reaffirmed its "ironclad commitment" to the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines during the landmark visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Manila on Friday.

US, Philippines must stand 'shoulder to shoulder' in face of China threat: Hegseth

Hegseth met with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang where he emphasized that the Trump administration is committed to the country’s alliance and partnership with the Philippines. 

“I had a chance to speak just a few minutes ago to our president, President [Donald] 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 said. 

“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 continued.

US defense chief visits Philippines dogged by scandal at home

“There is a very real reason why our first trip and our first visit is here to visit you in your great country.” 

The US Defense chief expressed the United States’ interest in further expanding military cooperation with the Philippines, which he says is critically important amid "threats" posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region.

He also noted the importance of deterrence and for allies to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” to ensure peace and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

“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.

WHAT MARCOS SAID

Marcos meanwhile emphasized the Philippines’ longstanding alliance with the United States, as well as the critical role of the US in ensuring peace in the Indo-Pacific region as he welcomed Hegseth to Manila.

“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,” the President said. 

Hegseth visit highlights strong PH-US military ties: AFP

Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro meanwhile welcomed the US Defense chief’s reaffirmation of the US commitment to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.

“Opo, magandang-magandang balita po iyan para sa ating bansa. Katunayan nga po ay nagkaroon po ng reaffirmation ng US commitment to uphold our Mutual Defense Treaty,” Castro said.

(Yes, that is good news for the country. Proof of that is the reaffirmation of US commitment to our Mutual Defense Treaty)

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