MANILA – United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored the importance of deterrence amid the continuing dispute in the West Philippines Sea.
In a courtesy call to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday, Hegseth said the US recognizes the Philippines ; rights in the region.
“Peace through strength is a very real thing. 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’s free navigation. Whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognize that your country has stand very firm in that location and in defense of your nation,” he added.
In response, Marcos said Hegseth’s visit was a strong indication of the commitment of both nations to work together in maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
“I know the work that we will do in the time that you have here, brief as it is, eill be extremely productive and very very important for us as we chart our way into the future, considering how complicated geopolitics has become,” Marcos said.
China has previously expressed concerns about Marcos’ meeting with Hegseth, saying that any defense agreements between the Philippines and the US should not target other countries or threaten their interests.
China also urged the Philippines to avoid acting as a mouthpiece for other nations and to refrain from utilizing these relations for personal political purposes.
In response, Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippines is no one’s chess piece, saying that Philippines is “an independent country”./PN
