United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will visit the Philippines next week as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the two countries’ partnership toward a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
 

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responds to questions from reporters during a meeting with Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey at the Pentagon on March 6, 2025 in Washington D.C. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)

In a statement on Friday, March 21 (US time), Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth will travel first to Hawaii and Guam before coming to the Philippines.
 

According to the spokesman, Hegseth is scheduled to meet with senior US military and civilian leaders from the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. He will then proceed to Guam for a tour of its military facilities.
 

Hegseth will be in Manila on March 28-29 to meet with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and President Marcos. This meeting will delve on Beijing’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea as well as the possibly “more significant support” to the Philippine military by the Trump administration, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez told The Associated Press.
 

“It’s a strong message to China on solid bilateral relations” between the US and the Philippines, Romualdez said of Hegseth’s visit next week.
 

The Philippines has been building its defense capabilities amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.
 

Under the Trump administration’s “America First” foreign policy, there has been some concerns over the scale of the US’ commitment to defending the Philippines, as well as maintaining peace and stability in the region.
 

In his visit to the Philippines, Parnell shared Hagseth advance will “advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with US and Philippine forces.”
 

“These engagements will drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the official said.
 

“Secretary Hegseth's trip comes as the United States builds on unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security,” he added.
 

Lastly, Hegseth would conclude his weeklong trip in Japan, where he is expected to participate in a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. He will also meet with Japanese leaders and US military forces there.
 

“And as always, the Secretary looks forward to some great PT (physical training) with the troops,” Parnell said.