President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today emphasized the pivotal role of the Philippines-United States alliance in maintaining peace and stability across the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. His remarks came during a significant bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Monday, July 21, 2025.
“I believe that our alliance, the United States and the Philippines, has played a great part in terms of preserving the peace, in terms of preserving the stability of the South China Sea. But I would even go as far as to say in the entire Indo-Pacific region,” President Marcos stated in his opening remarks, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the enduring partnership.
President Marcos emphasized the need for ongoing bilateral discussions to adapt to the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. He expressed profound gratitude for the ongoing support from the U.S. government, particularly through joint military exercises and the sustained modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“That forms a very, very important part of that relationship. And again, it is a proper response considering the challenges that we face in the Philippines specifically vis-à-vis the changing geopolitical forces and the political developments around our part of the world,” the President added, underscoring the alliance’s relevance in addressing contemporary security challenges.
The President also recalled Secretary Hegseth’s visit to Manila in March, characterizing it as an “important symbol” of the steadfast PH-U.S. partnership and a strong reaffirmation of both nations’ commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty. “We must continue to be in discussion. We must continue to evolve that relationship as the circumstances, the context in which we operate, have evolved,” President Marcos concluded.
Accompanying President Marcos at the Pentagon were key Philippine officials, including Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Presidential Adviser for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, and Defense Undersecretary Salvador Melchor Mison Jr.
Upon his arrival at the Pentagon, President Marcos was accorded an enhanced honor cordon, a ceremonial welcome reserved for high-ranking foreign dignitaries and military leaders, signifying the robust diplomatic ties between the two allied nations.
President Marcos is currently on a three-day official visit to Washington, D.C., from July 20 to 22, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump. He is the first Southeast Asian leader to be received by President Trump during his second term in office, and this visit marks their first in-person meeting since President Trump began his second term in January.
