US Defense Secretary Meets Philippine President Amid Regional Tensions
Manila, Philippines – US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Friday, emphasizing the need for strong cooperation between the US and the Philippines against China’s increasing influence in the region. The meeting at Malacañang Palace marks Hegseth’s inaugural visit to Asia as part of a tour to reinforce alliances in the Asia Pacific.
During the discussions, Hegseth stated, “Peace through strength is a very real thing,” underlining the importance of deterrence in securing free navigation and regional stability. He acknowledged the Philippines’ central role in addressing threats posed by China, referring to the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which is claimed by both Beijing and Manila.
President Marcos welcomed Hegseth’s visit as a strong signal of commitment from the US to bolster their long-standing alliance. The timing of this visit is critical as tensions between China and the Philippines escalate, particularly regarding Beijing’s assertions over vast areas of the South China Sea. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recently labeled these claims as “the biggest fiction and lie.”
Hegseth’s trip also follows a controversy surrounding the accidental leakage of sensitive US strike plans concerning Yemen, a situation that has drawn scrutiny back home. Following his visit to the Philippines, Hegseth is set to travel to Japan to engage in talks with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and participate in a memorial commemorating servicemen from the iconic World War II Battle of Iwo Jima.
The renewed focus on alliances in the Asia Pacific comes as the US aims to rally its partners to counterbalance China’s growing power and assert dominance in regional security matters.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
