U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, chatting with American troops in Hawaii, where he stopped as part of his Asia-Pacific tour before heading to Guam and the Philippines. © Reuters
RAMON ROYANDOYAN
MANILA -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured the Philippines on Friday that their alliance is “ironclad,” after recent concerns that the superpower’s commitment to its Indo-Pacific partners might be wavering and amid persistent maritime tensions with China.
Hegseth stressed his support after meeting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila during his first Asia-Pacific tour that will also see him visit Japan.