U.S. Reaffirms 'Ironclad' Support for Philippines Amid South China Sea Tensions

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed America’s “ironclad commitment” to the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines during his visit to Manila, stressing the importance of deterrence in the South China Sea amid growing Chinese aggression. Meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Hegseth emphasized the need for strong U.S.-Philippine cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in your country, considering the threats from communist China,” Hegseth stated. His visit comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have clashed over territorial disputes and frequent maritime confrontations.

Hegseth noted that former President Donald Trump, who he said “thinks very fondly” of the Philippines, remains strongly committed to the alliance. “He and I both want to express our ironclad commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and our economic and military partnership,” he added.

President Marcos welcomed the visit, calling it a strong signal of the enduring alliance between the two nations. “It sends a very strong message of our commitment to maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea,” he said.

Hegseth’s trip, his first stop on a broader Asia tour, was marred by reports that classified attack plans on Houthi militants were shared via a commercial messaging app involving a journalist, raising concerns about information security.

In response to the growing U.S.-Philippines military cooperation, Chinese defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned against undermining regional security, accusing Washington of a history of broken promises and unreliable alliances. Tensions continue to mount as the Philippines deepens ties with the U.S. in the face of an assertive China.