US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to reinforce military ties amid threats from China. Hegseth emphasized the need for deterrence in the region and announced plans for advanced military capabilities and joint training operations in the Philippines. This visit comes amid rising tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Hegseth's trip also faces scrutiny due to recent leaks of sensitive military information, overshadowing the discussions intended to bolster partnerships in the Asia-Pacific.
"Deterrence is necessary around the world but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the Communist Chinese," he 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."
"Peace through strength is a very real thing."
"The US was intensifying the partnership with the deployment of advanced capabilities and taking steps to re-establish a deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region."
#us-philippines-relations #china-threat #indo-pacific-strategy #military-cooperation #south-china-sea
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