US defence secretary meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos amid controversy over leaking of Yemen strike plans.
United States Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth has stated the US and the Philippines should stand “shoulder to shoulder” in opposition to China in a gathering with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
Hegseth, who is under scrutiny at home over his role in the accidental leaking of US strikes on Yemen to a journalist, arrived in Manila on Friday for the primary cease on a tour of Asia Pacific allies.
“Peace by way of energy is a really actual factor,” Hegseth stated in a gathering with Marcos at Malacanan Palace in Manila.
“Deterrence is critical all over the world, however particularly on this area, in your nation, contemplating the threats from the communist Chinese language and that associates want to face shoulder-to-shoulder to discourage battle, to make sure that there’s free navigation.”
“Whether or not you name it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognise that your nation has [to] stand very agency in that location and in defence of your nation,” Hegseth added.
Marcos stated Hegseth’s go to despatched a “very robust message” of the allies’ dedication to bolster their alliance.
The defence chief’s first journey to Asia comes because the administration of US President Donald Trump is searching for to rally allies within the area to counter China’s rising power and influence.
The go to additionally comes amid evaluated tensions between China and the Philippines over Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
On Monday, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro referred to as Beijing’s declare to greater than 90 p.c of the waterway “the most important fiction and lie”.
Teodoro’s remarks got here on the identical day that the Philippine coastguard reported the most recent in a collection of latest confrontations with Chinese language vessels within the Scarborough Shoal.
After wrapping up his journey to the Philippines on Saturday, Hegseth will journey to Japan, one other key US treaty ally.
Whereas in Japan, he’s scheduled to carry talks with Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and attend a memorial service for servicemen killed throughout World Battle II’s Battle of Iwo Jima.
