US Defense Secretary to Visit Philippines for Security Talks and Military Alliance Strengthening

Pete Hegseth's upcoming trip will address China Sea tensions and precede joint military drills featuring advanced weaponry and multinational forces.

Pete Hegseth will visit the Philippines on March 28-29, marking his first trip to the Indo-Pacific region as US Defense Secretary.
The visit will include meetings with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss regional security concerns.
Talks will focus on China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and enhancing US-Philippine military cooperation under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
The upcoming Balikatan military exercises, scheduled for April 21 to May 9, will feature the US-made Typhon missile system and involve 16,000 troops from multiple nations.
China has criticized US involvement in the South China Sea, calling it a regional issue and warning against actions that could disrupt stability.