Hegseth, Marcos reaffirm U.S.-Philippines alliance during Pentagon meeting

In the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon on Monday.

They reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to all Pacific waters, reaffirming their bilateral cooperation.

Speaking after their closed-door meeting, Secretary Hegseth called the alliance "storied" and "essential," highlighting that treaty obligations extend to armed attacks on Philippine forces, public vessels, aircraft, or Coast Guard in any part of the Pacific, including the South China Sea.

The two shared aligned views on Chinese assertiveness in the contested South China Sea.

President Marcos mentioned the earlier March visit by Hegseth to Manila, saying it sent "a very clear message" of continued cooperation and strengthened partnership under the Mutual Defense Treaty.