U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his official trip to the Philippines with a key meeting at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday morning, where he sat down with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The visit followed Hegseth’s earlier courtesy call with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Malacañang. According to a U.S. Department of Defense advisory, the trip underscores America’s commitment to strengthening its alliances in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with shared goals for a “free and open” region.
Hegseth is expected to collaborate closely with Philippine leaders and military personnel to advance mutual security objectives. Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said the talks would include discussions on new U.S. policies under President Donald Trump that aim to deepen military cooperation with allies like the Philippines.
During his meeting with Marcos, Hegseth highlighted the need for deterrence in the face of regional threats, particularly in the South China Sea. He emphasized that “peace through strength” remains vital, praising the Philippines for its strong stance on defending its maritime rights.
After his Philippine stop, Hegseth will travel to Japan to join ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.