Philippines assured by Hegseth of US’ ‘ironclad’ pledge to mutual defence treaty

Both countries discussed “the importance of re-establishing deterrence in the South China Sea”

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged Washington’s commitment to its defence treaty with the Philippines. Photo: AP

Published: 7:56pm, 6 Feb 2025

Newly appointed US defence chief Pete Hegseth has reassured the Philippines that Washington remains “ironclad” in standing by the two countries’ mutual defence treaty amid questions over the Donald Trump administration’s level of commitment towards Manila and the broader region.

A readout from the US Department of Defence said Hegseth and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr held an introductory call on Wednesday to discuss “the importance of re-establishing deterrence in the South China Sea” and enhancing the capabilities of the Philippine military.

“The Secretary reaffirmed the ironclad US commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty and its importance for maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” according to the readout, which was shared with the media on Thursday.

Philippine Defence Department Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro assured Hegseth of Manila’s commitment to working closely with the US on shared defence priorities and strengthening deterrence in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s term for the part of the South China Sea that it considers its maritime territory.

While Teodoro did not explicitly mention China, his call for deterrence against “coercive and destabilising actions” in the West Philippine Sea was an allusion to Beijing’s activities in the disputed waterway, where Chinese vessels had repeatedly challenged the Philippines’ maritime operations.

Some observers have questioned Trump’s resolve to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific after he did not mention the region on January 20 during his first address upon taking office, noting that he had earlier invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration.