US affirms ‘ironclad’ commitment to MDT

Stronger deterrence needed vs China threat — Hegseth

- HELEN FLORES

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed yesterday Washington's "ironclad" commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with Manila, stressing that deterrence is necessary in the Indo-Pacific region amid "threats from the communist Chinese."

Hegseth is the first high-ranking official of the Trump administration to visit the Philippines. His visit comes amid Beijing's increasingly aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

During his meeting with President Marcos at Malacañang, Hegseth stressed that "peace through strength is a very real thing."

"Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese, and that friends need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there's free navigation," he said.

"Whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognize that your country has (stood) very firm in that location and in defense of your nation," Hegseth said.

He also relayed to Marcos US President Donald Trump's commitment to the two countries' defense alliance and economic partnership.

"I had a chance to speak just a few minutes ago to our president, President Trump, who sends his regards to you as well, thinks very fondly of this great country, is very committed to the alliance that we have, to the friendship that we have, the cooperation that we have," the US defense chief said.

"He (Trump) and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and to the partnership, economically, militarily, which our staffs have worked on diligently for weeks and weeks and months," he said.