President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. welcomed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during his first Indo-Pacific visit to the Philippines on March 27-28, 2025, emphasizing the country’s strategic role in regional security.

During their discussions, Teodoro and Hegseth reaffirmed the strong U.S.-Philippines alliance, anchored on key agreements such as the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Secretary Teodoro stressed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening joint defense capabilities amid evolving security challenges.

“We are going to work very closely, not only with our treaty ally, but with other like-minded partners in re-establishing deterrence. This will mean increased interoperational activities, joint exercises, and realistic training to prepare for future scenarios,” Teodoro stated.

Both sides announced new defense initiatives, including the deployment of advanced U.S. defense systems, such as the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and unmanned surface vessels. These will be integrated into Exercise BALIKATAN and special operations training in the Batanes Islands to enhance interoperability and regional deterrence.

The visit also saw the launch of a joint vision statement on defense industry cooperation and a bilateral cybersecurity campaign, aiming to boost logistics, co-production, cyber resilience, and alliance readiness.

Secretary Hegseth’s visit reaffirms the U.S.-Philippines alliance as a key pillar of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.