US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines during a call with his counterpart in Manila in the face of geopolitical tensions in South China Sea.
“The leaders discussed the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea,” and the need to enhance “the capability and capacity” of the Philippine military, according to the readout of the Feb. 5 call between Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
