MANILA, Philippines — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to visit the Philippines as his initial stop during his maiden trip to Asia next week. This trip focuses on discussions surrounding the enhancement of deterrence measures against aggressive actions in the contentious South China Sea, according to a Philippine official on Friday.
Hegseth will visit Manila from March 28 to 29, engaging in discussions with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The dialogue will address Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and seek “more significant support” for Philippine security from the Trump administration, as stated by Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez.
In the U.S., Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell conveyed that Hegseth’s itinerary includes a stop in Hawaii to meet with civilian and military officials at the Indo-Pacific Command, before proceeding to tour U.S. military bases in Guam. Here, Hegseth will receive briefings on military capabilities prior to his visits to the Philippines and Japan.
During his time in the Philippines, Hegseth aims to progress security goals with Philippine leaders and will also interact with both U.S. and Philippine forces. In Japan, he is expected to partake in a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, alongside meetings with Japanese leaders and U.S. military personnel. Parnell noted that Hegseth anticipates engaging in some rigorous physical training with the troops.
“These engagements will further our ongoing endeavors to fortify alliances and partnerships toward a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he remarked. The trip arrives as the United States continues to amplify its cooperation with nations sharing aligned interests to bolster regional security.
Concerns have emerged regarding the scope and intensity of the U.S.’s commitment to the region under Trump’s “America First” foreign policy. Romualdez remarked that Hegseth’s forthcoming visit sends a persuasive message to China about the strong bilateral ties between the U.S. and the Philippines.
China maintains substantial claims over the South China Sea, which is a crucial route for security and international trade. However, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also assert overlapping claims over these resource-rich and bustling waters. Notably, confrontations have intensified between Chinese and Philippine maritime forces over the last two years.
In a February phone conversation with Teodoro, Hegseth emphasized the unbreakable U.S. commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, underscoring its vital role in promoting a stable and thriving Indo-Pacific region, according to a Pentagon spokesperson. The leaders addressed strengthening deterrents in the South China Sea through collaboration with allies and partners, and enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Following significant territorial confrontations, the previous administration under Biden consistently warned that the U.S. is bound to defend the Philippines under the treaty if Filipino military assets face armed aggression in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.
In response, Beijing has consistently cautioned Washington to avoid intervening in what it views as a regional dispute, urging the U.S. to cease activities posing threats to regional peace and stability.
Hegseth’s Philippine visit coincides with preparations for the “Balikatan” exercises, an annual series of major combat drills held between the two long-standing treaty allies. These exercises, incorporating live-fire drills, have increasingly occurred near the South China Sea and the maritime border between the Philippines and Taiwan.
Taiwan, a self-governing island, is claimed by China as its territory, with continued threats of annexation through military force.
