During his visit to the Philippines, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the nation’s role in countering Chinese threats in the region. Amid political pressure for his resignation in the US, Hegseth reinforced Washington's commitment to its mutual defense treaty with Manila while praising the Philippines' stance against Chinese incursions. Philippine President Marcos highlighted the importance of US presence for peace, marking a shift in foreign policy towards greater alignment with the US, contrasting with his predecessor Duterte's ties with China.
"Deterrence is necessary around the world but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese," Hegseth told Marcos.
"Friends need to stand shoulder to shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there is free navigation whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea," he added.
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