Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the Trump administration plans to enhance military collaborations with the Philippines. This initiative aims to fortify deterrence against Chinese assertiveness in the contested South China Sea.

Hegseth delivered this assurance during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as part of his visit to Asia. The trip seeks to reinforce Washington’s steadfast commitment to the region under the leadership of President Donald Trump.

“Deterrence is essential globally, but especially in this region, in your country, given the communist Chinese threats,” Hegseth informed Marcos. “Allies must stand united to prevent conflict and ensure free navigation, regardless of whether it is referred to as the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.”

“Peace through strength is a very real thing,” Hegseth said, praising the Philippines for standing “very firm” to defend its interests in the contested waters.

Chinese forces have used powerful water cannons and dangerous maneuvers in the high seas to block what Beijing said were encroachments by Philippine ships into China’s waters. Chinese military aircraft have also approached Philippine patrol planes at alarmingly close distances to drive them away from the Scarborough Shoal, a hotly disputed fishing atoll in the disputed waterway.

Hegseth echoed that pledge by expressing “the ironclad commitment” of Trump and him “to the Mutual Defense Treaty and to the partnership.”

Marcos told the U.S. defense chief that by visiting the Philippines first in Asia, he “sends a very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue to work together to maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region, within the South China Sea.”

“We have always understood the principle that the greatest force for peace in this part of the world would be the United States,” Marcos said.

Two Philippine Coast Guard ships were reportedly surrounded by Chinese vessels in a tense standoff in the South China Sea on Monday, further raising tensions between the two countries, in South China Sea, Off Philippines on March 24, 2025.  (Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines comes a month before the longtime treaty allies hold their largest annual combat exercises that will include live-fire drills. 

The defense secretary’s visit comes as he faces calls back home for his resignation for texting attack plans to a Signal group that included top-level U.S. security officials and the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.