United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived in the Philippines on Thursday night, March 27, and is set to meet with President Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives in the Philippines for a two-day working visit. (Photo from Amb. Carlson via X post)
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson shared the photo of the plane carrying Hegseth upon arrival in Manila.
“Welcome to the Philippines, @SecDef Pete Hegseth! This visit highlights the importance of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance and our ironclad commitment as #FriendsPartnersAllies dedicated to ensuring a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” she wrote, also using the hashtag #SafeStrongProsperous.
Carlson’s post was also accompanied by another photo of her shaking hands with the US defense chief.
Hegseth, who came from Hawaii and Guam, has a two-day working visit until Saturday, March 29, in Manila.
The trip marks the first international trip of Hegseth as defense secretary, who is expected to boost US military ties with the Philippines amid regional tensions.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson welcomes the arrival of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. (Photo from the US Embassy in Manila)
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said Hegseth’s visit shows the importance of the Philippines to the United States.
“It is an indication na talagang importante ang Pilipinas para sa US ang ating defense alliance (that the defense alliance with the Philippines is really important to the US),” he said in an interview over Dzbb Super Radyo.
The envoy furthered that the Philippines wants “to take advantage” of its importance to Washington, as well as to other defense allies, such as Japan and Australia.
“We are positioning ourselves to take advantage na ang ating armed forces ay ma-modernize at saka (for our armed forces to be modernized and) at the same time, the attention that’s being given to us,” he said.
Romualdez noted that the Philippines needs the resources to purchase equipment and arms that can be used in case a conflict arises in the Indo-Pacific region.