MANILA — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday to discuss defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and to further improve the alliance's readiness.

According to the readout of the meeting released by the US defense department, Hegseth praised the Philippines "for standing up against China's aggressive actions targeting lawful Philippine activities in the South China Sea."

The conversation, grounded on the secretaries' meeting in Manila on March 28 which reaffirmed the US' "ironclad" commitment to 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, also celebrated the conclusion of the biggest annual "Balikatan" or shoulder-to-shoulder drills last month.

Balikatan 2025 included air and missile defense simulations for the first time.

The joint training exercise was also a demonstration of advanced US weapon systems like the Typhon missile system and the highly mobile Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS).

Teodoro and Hegseth emphasized the importance of partnership and transparency in deterring China.

They said both countries remain committed to strengthening their defense cooperation.

Earlier in May, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said military officials of the two countries will already start planning for the Balikatan exercises next year.

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