The United States and the Philippines have launched a new joint military initiative aimed at bolstering deterrence and defense readiness in the South China Sea, amid escalating regional tensions and reports of continued Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced the formation of the “Task Force Philippines” on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Defense Ministers’ Meeting and ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday.
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Strengthening the U.S.-PH Alliance
Hegseth said the creation of the task force underscores both nations’ commitment to upholding the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
“It bears repeating that the Mutual Defense Treaty is critical for both of our countries; either of our forces anywhere in the South China Sea, it is applicable,” Hegseth declared. “We don’t seek confrontation, but, of course, we’re ready to protect our interests individually and mutually, and that’s why we’re publicly announcing the Task Force Philippines.”
The joint effort, he added, will focus on improving interoperability, joint exercises, and coordinated responses to regional threats. “The initiative will decisively respond to crisis or aggression, and reestablish deterrence in the South China Sea,” Hegseth emphasized.
The two countries also completed an Alliance Readiness Action Plan, which will fast-track defense priorities over the next two years, including modernizing military operations and strengthening coordination with allied partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Teodoro: Alliance Anchored on International Law and Sovereignty
Teodoro highlighted that the Philippines’ defense cooperation with the U.S. is not merely strategic but also rooted in shared principles.
“The U.S.-Philippine alliance should not be seen in isolation, because the alliance, and moving forward now, are based on fundamentals, respect for international law, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he explained.
He stressed that the Philippines’ strategic position in the Indo-Pacific places it at the center of regional stability efforts. “It is not only important for both our countries that we interoperate deeper, we deter better, we add more allies, because freedom of navigation, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are not only important for us, but for the whole world,” he said.
Regional Cooperation and Broader Security Talks
During the Asean meetings, Teodoro also met with Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing to reaffirm defense ties and discuss regional security challenges. The two officials agreed to continue regular exchanges and joint initiatives under the Asean defense cooperation framework.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a separate meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju, where both leaders reaffirmed their strategic partnership and vowed to expand cooperation in defense, infrastructure, and transnational crime prevention.
Marcos emphasized that the Philippines’ alliances, from the U.S. to Korea, reflect the country’s broader goal of promoting peace, economic resilience, and a rules-based regional order.
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