The United States has reaffirmed its security commitment to the Philippines following Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s visit to Cebu for the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), describing the bilateral alliance as stronger than ever.
In a statement issued on Monday, Nov. 2, U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton said Hegseth’s participation in the regional defense gathering reflected the Trump administration’s commitment to strengthening alliances and expanding cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.
The visit also highlighted Washington’s recognition of Southeast Asia’s strategic importance and its long-standing partnership with the Philippines, Lipton said.
“Our commitment to Philippine security is ironclad,” the ambassador said, citing the partnership between the two countries under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He said the alliance is sustained through hundreds of joint military exercises and training activities each year, hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. security assistance, expanded maritime cooperation and engagements between senior defense and security officials.
The partnership also covers disaster response and public health assistance, reflecting cooperation beyond military and defense matters, Lipton said.
His statement came as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty, which he described as a foundation of their commitment to regional stability.
Lipton said Washington stands with the Filipino people in protecting Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as maintaining freedom of navigation, which he said is essential to global commerce.
Beyond defense cooperation, the ambassador stressed the importance of strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
He said the United States supports the Philippines’ economic development and considers reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade essential to their shared prosperity.
Lipton described the relationship as extending beyond formal agreements and strategic interests, emphasizing the ties between the two peoples.
The statement followed Hegseth’s visit to Cebu for the ADMM-Plus, which brought together defense leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its dialogue partners to discuss regional security and defense cooperation.
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