Philippine president and top U.S. officials vow to ramp up deterrence

Japan Times

4 days ago

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received assurances from top U.S. officials during a visit to Washington that the United States' alliance with his country remains ironclad despite unilateral tariffs and demands that American allies spend more on defense.
Marcos met separately with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department, with both top U.S. officials pointing to China as a top mutual threat.
Marcos was due to meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday, where the Philippine leader will aim to secure a trade deal before an Aug. 1 deadline while fending off demands to dole out more cash for defense.
The U.S. this month raised the threatened "reciprocal" tariffs on Philippine imports to 20% from the 17% announced in April. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has set a 'global standard' for U.S. allies to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense.
Those moves have stoked concern in Manila about Washington's commitment to their alliance and the larger U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
But Hegseth sought to ameliorate concerns, emphasizing that the region is the United States' 'priority theater' and that the administration 'is committed to achieving peace through strength.'
'Our storied alliance has never been stronger or more essential than it is today, and together we remain committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty,' Hegseth said. 'This pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our Coast Guard anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.'
Manila and Beijing have faced off in the disputed South China Sea, nudging Marcos closer to Washington. This has also seen the Philippines grant the U.S. expanded access to military bases in the Southeast Asian nation — a move that comes amid China's growing pressure on democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.
Although Hegseth did not directly mention China by name, his intended audience was clear.
'We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute,' he said.
Marcos, calling the allies' mutual defense pact the 'cornerstone' of their relationship, offered praise for the allies' growing defense ties. He also appeared to defend the alliance from criticism by Beijing that the allies have been working hand in glove to contain China.
'It is the proper response considering the challenges, let me put it that way,' Marcos said. 'The challenges that we face in the Philippines specifically are vis a vis the changing political geopolitical forces and the political developments around our part of the world.'
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the State Department in Washington on Monday. |
AFP-JIJI
But Marcos said that the U.S.-Philippine relationship 'must continue to evolve' as circumstances change — a hint that he would continue to promote even more robust defense ties.
Hegseth also touched on this, lauding Manila's focus on collective defense, including its push to build security relationships with like-minded partners such as Japan and Australia, as well as its modernization of its armed forces.
The U.S. defense chief also noted the controversial deployment of 'new cutting-edge missiles' and 'unmanned systems.' This includes continued deployment of the advanced Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Typhon U.S. missile systems to Philippine territory. Both systems could put nearby Chinese forces at risk.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy is set to build a new boat maintenance facility to help repair Philippine military vessels in a province facing the South China Sea. The facility could also host unmanned platforms.
"Together, we must forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace," said Hegseth, who visited Manila in March.
Meanwhile, Marcos and Rubio also discussed economic issues, including cooperation on the Luzon Economic Corridor and strengthening supply chains. A press release from the State Department did not mention if tariffs had been discussed.
However, in a development that could engender goodwill in Trump's mind and help offset trade concerns, the Philippines has signaled an openness to jointly producing ammunition with the U.S. in the Southeast Asian nation.
Manila's ambassador to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez, told Philippine media Sunday that such a move would be a 'combination both of defense and economic cooperation.'
U.S. lawmakers have urged the Pentagon and State Department to study the 'feasibility of establishing a joint ammunition and manufacturing storage facility' at the former U.S. naval base in Subic Bay, citing the 'lack of forward-stage ammunition manufacturing facility in the Indo-Pacific.'