US promises Marcos to ramp up deterrence on China
Top US officials promised President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that Washington will defend its longtime ally and ramp up military resources aimed at deterring an assertive China.
Both Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have both identified China as a top threat, stated their commitment to the seven-decade treaty with the Philippines as they held separate meetings with Marcos.
"Together we remain committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty. And this pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our Coast Guard anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea," Hegseth told Marcos.
Noting growing US defense spending, Hegseth said that the two countries "must forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace, ensuring the long-term security and prosperity for our nations."
"We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute," Hegseth said.
Marcos welcomed US support, noting the "changing political geopolitical forces and the political developments around our part of the world."
Trump on Marcos: 'I don't mind if he gets along with China very well'
Marcos has also met with US President Donald Trump, who has rattled many European allies by demanding they pay more to be protected as part of NATO.
China and the Philippines have engaged in a series of confrontations in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis.
Trump has frequently questioned allies over their military spending, pondering why the United States should defend them in the NATO alliance.
He has voiced fewer doubts about the Philippines. Both Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in meetings with Marcos on Monday vowed to honor the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Southeast Asian nation.
The Trump administration has identified China as the top US adversary but the US president has also boasted of his relationship with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Speaking alongside Marcos, Trump said he would "probably" visit China at Xi's invitation "in the not-too-distant future."
He said of Marcos: "I don't mind if he gets along with China very well, because we're getting along with China very well."
Trump added the Philippines had been "maybe tilting toward China" and "we untilted it very, very quickly."
"I just don't think that would have been good for you," Trump said.
The US president credited himself with the shift, although the turn towards Washington began after the 2022 election of Marcos, before Trump returned to power.
Marcos's predecessor Rodrigo Duterte had flirted with closer relations with China and bristled at US criticism over human rights under Biden and Obama.
Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court over a sweeping campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say killed thousands. (with reports from Shaun Tandon, AFP)
