US Defense Chief Reaffirms 'Ironclad' Alliance with Philippines Amid South China Sea

Pete Hegseth announces expanded military cooperation and missile deployment during his visit to Manila, as confrontations with China escalate.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to emphasize the 'ironclad' commitment of the US-Philippines alliance under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
Hegseth announced the deployment of a new US missile system to the Philippines next month as part of the Balikatan joint military exercises, increasing regional deterrence capabilities.
The Philippines has dismissed China's territorial claims in the South China Sea as baseless, while China has criticized the US-Philippines military cooperation as destabilizing.
Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated, with recent confrontations involving Chinese forces using aggressive tactics against Philippine vessels.
Hegseth's visit highlights the US's strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific region, prioritizing alliances like that with the Philippines to counter China's growing influence.