PH, US reaffirm alliance in 'pursuit of peace' of Indo-Pacific region

The Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their alliance and commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific region as the countries' defense chiefs met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 

During the meeting, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, discussed deepening defense cooperation in support of regional peace, resilience, and a rules-based international order.

“The Philippines seeks peace, but it must be a sustainable peace—one grounded in our own resilience and reinforced through alliances with like-minded partners. We look forward to this meeting and to further strengthening our already robust defense relationship with the United States,” Teodoro said in a statement released on Saturday. 

Hegseth, meanwhile, committed to back the Philippines in its effort to push for stability in the region.

"I want to applaud the Philippines for their courage and clarity in the South China Sea, and their clear-eyed recognition of the challenges we face. We stand shoulder to shoulder in our pursuit of peace and stability in the region,” Hegseth said. 

“Our militaries exercised together in Balikatan in April—the largest in a long time with 14,000 troops. This speaks to the longstanding and ironclad relationship between our nations under the Mutual Defense Treaty,” Hegseth also said. 

Both secretaries also emphasized the importance of continuing defense cooperation in the face of evolving regional security dynamics.

Teodoro also met with several members of the US House of Representatives and Senate on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday.

They included Representatives John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee; Gus Bilirakis, member of the House Select Committee on the CCP; and Greg Stanton, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as US Senators Pete Ricketts and Tammy Duckworth.

“One of the greatest comforts to the Philippines is the bipartisan support we’ve received from the U.S. Congress. We really cannot overstate how grateful we are,” Teodoro said. “American leadership is indispensable, and having this kind of leadership creates reassurance that there will be a balance of power.”

Teodoro added that the US “remains the greatest shield against developments we do not want to see unfold in our lives.”

Duckworth assured Teodoro of continued bipartisan support and reaffirmed the US' ironclad commitment to maintaining its long-term relationship with the Philippines.

“I deeply value the opportunity to engage with the US Senate. The bipartisan support we receive strengthens our partnership,” Teodoro said.

Responding to Mooelnaar’s question on how the US could further support the Philippines, Teodoro said there is a need for the US’ “sustained and visible” leadership across global institutions and alliances. 

“This is a time where engagement must be massive and led by the United States, not only in this region, not only in Europe, but also in international organizations,” Teodoro said. 

“The United States remains the greatest shield against developments we do not want to see unfold in our lives,” he added.

Teodoro also said that a joint exploration of oil and gas could be a potential area of future collaboration between the Philippines and the US.

He also told the members of US Congress that there will be no change in the Philippines' security alliance posture. —with a report from Mariel Celine Serquiña/VAL/VBL/KG, GMA Integrated News