The United States (US) remains firmly committed to its economic and defense alliance with the Philippines, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Friday.
Hegseth assured President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that US President Donald Trump is dedicated to strengthening the partnership between Manila and Washington.
“I had a chance to speak just a few minutes ago to our president, President Trump, who sends his regards to you as well (and) thinks very fondly of this great country,” Hegseth said.
“And he and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and to the partnership, economically, militarily, which our staffs have worked on diligently for weeks and weeks and months.”
Hegseth highlighted the mutual benefits of expanding military cooperation between the two countries and expressed optimism for deeper discussions on their partnership during his visit.
Marcos, in response, emphasized the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and the US, which dates back over a century.
The 1951 MDT, the longest-running defense pact, serves as the foundation of the two nations’ security ties. It ensures that both countries will support each other in case of an external attack, alongside agreements like the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).