Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. hosted United States Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby for a high-level bilateral bilateral meeting at the Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters.
During the engagements, both defense leaders reaffirmed their nations’ shared, unyielding commitment to maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. They underscored the necessity of advancing joint security initiatives that directly safeguard their respective citizens and preserve regional sovereignty.
A primary focus of the discussions centered on recent operational developments in the West Philippine Sea and the broader South China Sea. Both sides emphasized the vital importance of maintaining peace, stability, and adherence to international law across these critical maritime passages. Under Secretary Colby praised the Philippines as a “model ally,” commending Manila’s proactive steps under the Marcos administration to modernize its armed forces and enhance national self-reliance.
To ensure deterrence remains strong and effective, the discussions addressed critical opportunities to deepen defense collaboration. Key points included:
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Strategic Alliance Investments: Expanding mutual investments in military infrastructure and joint defense architecture to build resilient, long-term operational capabilities.
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Bilateral Exercises & Interoperability: Enhancing the scale and complexity of joint military exercises to sharpen tactical readiness, combined response mechanisms, and defense integration.
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Multilateral Security Cooperation: Strengthening defense linkages with regional partners and allies to reinforce a collective, rules-based security framework across the Indo-Pacific.
“The Philippines is taking decisive leadership in its own defense and military modernization,” noted Under Secretary Colby, reinforcing that mutual defense capabilities are essential to achieving peace through strength in the region.
The meeting highlights the enduring strength of the Philippines-U.S. Alliance—a partnership built on mutual trust, shared security objectives, and a joint dedication to long-term stability in the Indo-Pacific.
