United States Defense chief Lloyd Austin has agreed with President Marcos when he made a strong position in front of the international community with regards to the country's territorial rights over the West Philippine Sea.

Austin lauded Marcos' speech at the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue as he "spoke eloquently" about the rule of law in the South China Sea.

"And he's right," Austin said, asserting that "every country, large or small, has the right to enjoy its own maritime resources and to freely sail and operate wherever international law allows."

"The harassment that the Philippines has faced is dangerous—pure and simple. And we all share an interest in ensuring that the South China Sea remains open and free," he added.

Austin said that the US will continue to play a vital role in the Indo-Pacific as he stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation in upholding rule of law.

He even lauded various partnerships, such as among US, Japan and South Korea and among US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines.

"Now, sustaining this progress will take teamwork. It will take resolve. And it will take leadership," Austin said.

"And so that's why my belief in the power of partnership has never wavered," he added.

Austin noted that critics and propagandists "will still oppose the principles that drive the new convergence" and "continue to reject the rule of law.

But he said the convergence of the new countries "points to a better future for all of our countries."

"That means a future of fresh and growing partnership. A future where longstanding friendships grow into even deeper forms of cooperation. A future where every country can defend itself. And a future where likeminded countries are more connected than ever," he said.

"Now that's the future that all of our people deserve. And together, we're making it real," he added.