The US defense chief has a courtesy call in Malacanang on Friday and reaffirms the Trump administration’s commitment to the PH government, particularly in the defense sector.
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he spoke with US President Donald Trump minutes before his meeting with President Bongbong Marcos.
“I had a chance to speak just a few minutes ago to our president, President Trump, who sent his regards to you as well. He takes 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.
He also added that both him and Trump “want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the Mutual Defense Treaty and to the partnership, economically and militarily, which our staffs have worked on diligently for weeks and weeks and months.”
Hegseth’s trip marks his first international visit as the defense secretary and only shows Washington’s commitment to the country.
The Secretary also recognized the PH’s stand in the ongoing conflict between China over the West Philippine Sea.
‘As we’ve talked about, 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,” Hegseth said.
”Friends need to stand shoulder to shoulder to deter conflict to ensure that there’s free navigation, whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognize that your country has stand very firm in that location and in defense of your nation,” he added.
