Philippines, US defense chiefs discuss West Philippine Sea issues

MANILA, Philippines —  Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and his US counterpart Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed defense cooperation between the Philippines and the US and reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea.

Teodoro, in his first phone call yesterday with the recently confirmed US defense chief, talked about current problems in the West Philippine Sea.

Without particularly mentioning China, he affirmed and expressed “the importance of deepening defense cooperation to strengthen deterrence against coercive and destabilizing actions in the West Philippine Sea, as well as upholding the rules-based international order.”

During the phone conversation, the Department of National Defense said Teodoro and Hegseth discussed key security developments in the Indo-Pacific and the enhancement of the two countries’ existing bilateral and multilateral engagements.

Teodoro also congratulated Hegseth on his recent appointment and expressed the Philippines’ commitment to working closely with the US in advancing shared defense priorities.

For his part, Hegseth conveyed his optimism about the future of Philippines-US defense relations as the two discussed ongoing collaborative efforts, future investments for increased deterrence and defense industry development, and agreed to further extend the alliance through the inclusion of like-minded partners in defense initiatives for greater impact.

Both officials also looked forward to future high-level meetings with the conversation ending with both officials “reaffirming their commitment to a great era of Philippines-US defense partnership and exploring other areas of cooperation to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

In a readout, Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot said Hegseth and Teodoro held an introductory call Wednesday (US time).

“The leaders discussed the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea, including by working with allies and partners,” Ullyot said. “They also discussed enhancing the capability and capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

Hegseth reaffirmed the US commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and its importance for maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific and pledged to remain in close coordination with Teodoro.

Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels spotted off Pangasinan province last weekend left the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its BRP Cabra on Monday shadowed Chinese Coast Guard vessels 3301 and 3104 “until their exit” from the Philippine EEZ.

On Tuesday, Teodoro expressed optimism that the defense agreements between the Philippines and the US will not change even as the US State Department ordered an immediate stop to the flow of almost all US foreign assistance pending a review.

Meanwhile in Malacañang, President Marcos said the PCG and the Navy would continue to perform their mission “no matter what any other foreign power does.”

Marcos yesterday admitted that the Philippines does not have the capability to drive away the Chinese “monster ship” that has been prowling the waters off Zambales for a month, even as he vowed to continue asserting the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“We don’t have the means to drive away. We could have done it if we had an aircraft carrier with a destroyer, frigate and submarine that we could send there to drive it away. But we do not have them,” Marcos said in a press briefing.
“But our policy is that we will just continue to defend... our sovereign territory and our territorial rights in the EEZ,” he added.
Marcos also said senatorial candidate and Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta was just trying to “grab headlines” when he claimed that there is no such a thing as “West Philippine Sea.”

More exercises eyed

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) looks forward to having more combined exercises and other engagements with the United States, Japan and Australia following a high-level meeting with top military officials of the three nations in Honolulu, Hawaii last week.

Wednesday’s 6th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) participated by the naval and air force assets and personnel of the same countries held in the West Philippine Sea was also declared a success despite the monitored presence of at least two Chinese warships from a distance that did not interfere with the drills.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the 5th Trilateral Staff Talks with the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the 2nd Multilateral Staff Talks (MST) with the Australian Defense Force (ADF) were held in Honolulu on Jan. 28 with the Philippine delegation headed by Maj. Gen. Rommel Cordova, deputy chief of staff for plans.

According to him, the discussions focused on enhancing regional security cooperation through information sharing, humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercises, and maritime security capacity-building.

Trinidad said the MST also addressed security threats, MMCAs, women, peace and security, and strategic messaging, with plans to involve more like-minded forces in future iterations of the combined naval exercises.

He noted that Wednesday’s MMCA, a key outcome of previous talks, has facilitated regular maritime activities, reinforcing a shared commitment to a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.

“Bilateral meetings with JSDF, ADF, and USINDOPACOM were also held, covering topics such as joint exercises, logistics cooperation, cyber collaboration, and bilateral defense agreements. These discussions aim to strengthen operational initiatives agreed upon in the trilateral and multilateral talks,” he added.

Specifically on the talks between the AFP and the JSDF, Trinidad said both sides agreed to strengthen defense cooperation with Cordova engaging in discussions with Maj. Gen. Nobutaka Minamikawa, director general of the Japan Joint Staff, on matters focused on regional security collaboration.

He said discussions covered the implementation of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, maritime security, information sharing, joint exercises, humanitarian assistance, strategic communication and countering malign influence.

“Both leaders emphasized the strategic importance of the Philippines in regional stability and Japan’s commitment to deeper maritime security cooperation. (The) AFP and JSDF reaffirm their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific, upholding international law through enhanced defense collaboration,” Trinidad said.

The latest MMCA held south of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Wednesday saw the AFP’s deployment of the BRP Jose Rizal and Philippine Air Force search and rescue assets.

Trinidad said partner nations also contributed significantly to the activity, with Australia deploying the HMAS Hobart (DDG39) and P-8A Poseidon, Japan’s JS Akizuki (DD115), and the United States with the USS Benfold (DDG65) and P-8A Poseidon.

The MMCA featured a series of operational exercises designed to enhance coordination and interoperability among the participating forces including communication check exercises, maritime domain awareness and contact reporting, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuver, photo exercise and anti-submarine warfare exercises.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in a statement yesterday underscored the importance of the initiative, stating that the activity “demonstrates the strong cooperation and interoperability among our nations’ armed forces. Conducted in accordance with international law, the MMCA ensures safe navigation while respecting the rights and interests of all states.”

He further emphasized that the MMCA reflects the shared commitment of the nations involved to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“This multilateral activity reaffirms the critical role of collaboration in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also strengthens the bonds among partner nations dedicated to upholding mutual prosperity and maintaining a rules-based international order,” he stressed.Trinidad said the 6th MMCA, this year’s first under the new Trump administration, “was successfully completed, achieving all planned objectives. Throughout the exercise, the safety of all participating personnel and vessels was our utmost priority. Established protocols were strictly adhered to, ensuring a safe and professional environment.”

Though People’s Liberation Army Navy warships were monitored operating at a distance, he said “they did not interfere with the MMCA. The exercise proceeded smoothly, and we are pleased with the positive outcomes and the cooperation shown by all participants.” – Alexis Romero