Replay: US and Philippines Defense Ministers Hold Joint Press Conference

On Friday, March 28, in Manila, after a bilateral meeting between US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., a joint press conference was held. The Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty Television provided live streaming with instant translation subtitles.

The meeting between the two defense chiefs aimed to strengthen defense cooperation between the United States and the Philippines. Both Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Teodoro highlighted the importance of security and stability in the region, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments.

During the press conference, Secretary Hegseth emphasized the United States’ commitment to its alliance with the Philippines and reiterated the mutual defense obligations under the existing defense treaty. Secretary Teodoro expressed appreciation for the continued support from the US in enhancing the Philippines’ defense capabilities.

The discussions encompassed a wide range of security issues, including maritime security, counterterrorism cooperation, and regional stability. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Secretary Hegseth announced the upcoming joint military exercises between the US and Philippine armed forces, which aim to enhance interoperability and readiness. Secretary Teodoro welcomed this initiative as a demonstration of the strong defense partnership between the two countries.

In response to questions from the press, Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Teodoro addressed concerns about regional security challenges, such as the South China Sea dispute and the threat of terrorism. They underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and dialogue in addressing these complex issues.

The press conference concluded with both defense chiefs expressing optimism about the future of US-Philippines defense cooperation. They reiterated their commitment to working together to maintain peace and security in the region and to address shared challenges effectively.

For more information, viewers can access the live streams of the press conference on the following platforms:

The Epoch Times: [link]

New Tang Dynasty Television: [link]

Ganjing World: [link]