By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday acknowledged the United States’ crucial role as the “greatest force” in maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the South China Sea (SCS).
Marcos said the visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Philippines sends a “very strong” message of Manila and Washington D.C.’s commitment to strengthen their alliance.
“The fact that you have come to the Philippines as your first stop is a very strong indication and sends a very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue to work together, to maintain the peace in the Indo-Pacific Region within the South China Sea,” he told Hegseth during their meeting at Malacañan Palace.
“You are our only treaty partner and continue to be the supporter for peace in this part of the world. And we have always taken, we have always understood the principle that the greatest force for peace in this part of the world would be the United States. And that is why it is very important,” he added.
Marcos expressed optimism that Hegseth’s brief visit to the Philippines would be “extremely productive,” charting a roadmap for the two nations’ shared future and prosperity, despite the “complicated” geopolitics in the region.
Hegseth told Marcos that the US is looking forward to expanding its defense cooperation with the Philippines.
“Because as we’ve talked about, 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 and that friends need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there’s free navigation,” he said.
“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,” Hegseth added.
Hegseth’s trip to the country marks the first visit of a high-ranking official from the Trump administration to the Philippines.
It is part of Hegseth’s Indo-Pacific tour aimed at advancing security objectives with key government officials and meeting with US and Philippine military forces.
Prior to visiting the Philippines, Hegseth met with military officials at the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii and toured military facilities in Guam. (PNA)
