On February 5th, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had a phone call with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. amidst escalating geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea. During the call, they reaffirmed Washington’s “rock-solid” commitment to the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty.
According to a summary released by the Pentagon, the importance of rebuilding deterrence in the South China Sea was discussed, emphasizing the need to enhance the capabilities and readiness of the Philippine military. The call also touched on defense cooperation between the US and the Philippines, including strengthening collaboration with allies and partner countries.
Hegseth reiterated the US commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He pledged to maintain close coordination with Secretary Teodoro.
At a time when the Philippines is seeking continued US support, both countries view China’s actions in the South China Sea as aggressive. Reports from Bloomberg indicate that the Philippine Ambassador to the US is arranging a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Trump in the spring.
Last month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized China’s actions in the South China Sea as “dangerous and destabilizing,” leading to a strong backlash from Beijing.
The Philippine government has pledged to continue defending its sovereign rights in the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the face of Chinese aggression, including the use of water cannons and military-grade lasers.
President Marcos Jr. stated to reporters on Thursday, “We will continue to defend our territorial sovereignty and rights within our Exclusive Economic Zone. We will safeguard our territories to ensure our fishermen can exercise their sovereign rights.”
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, deploying coast guard forces, navy, and suspected militia fleets to confront the military forces of claimant states like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, leading to tense standoffs.
The Philippines has sought assistance from the US and other countries to counter China’s expansionist actions in the South China Sea. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal ruled against China’s claims in the area, but China has not accepted the ruling.
On Wednesday, the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises in the Philippine EEZ. The US Seventh Fleet stated that the exercise aimed to “enhance the interoperability of defense and armed forces of various countries in tactical, technical, and operational procedures.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not issued a response, but China has long maintained that its activities in the South China Sea are “legal, legitimate, and beyond reproach.”
The US, Japan, the EU, and other Western allies have expressed shock at China’s increasingly belligerent actions in the South China Sea in recent years. On December 6th last year, the US dispatched reconnaissance aircraft, while Japan and the Philippines deployed navy ships for joint patrols in the South China Sea. Just two days ago, the allies condemned Chinese coast guard vessels for engaging in “aggressive and provocative actions” against Philippine patrol ships.
US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the joint patrols conducted by allies and partner countries in the Philippine EEZ aim to “uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight” and ensure “the right to lawful use of the seas and international airspace.”