MANILA – The United States has fully restored its US$500 million (S$670 million) military aid to the Philippines in a move seen as the Trump administration’s effort to dispel doubts on Washington’s reliability as a security ally in the Indo-Pacific amid tensions with China.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Filipino counterpart, Mr Gilberto Teodoro Jr, on March 28 [announced the fund’s restoration in a joint press conference](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/us-defense-secretary-hegseth-reaffirms-ironclad-commitment-to-the-philippines) in Manila, marking Mr Hegseth’s first stop in his maiden trip to the region under US President Donald Trump.
His visit comes amid growing concerns over Washington’s dependability as a defence partner, following Mr Trump’s tariff war on his allies, his stance on Ukraine and his 90-day freeze on foreign aid programmes. It also comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have competing claims.
The US in February initially exempted only US$336 million of its military aid for Manila from the freeze.
“We are grateful for the enduring support of the United States, including the State Department’s issuance of a waiver in part, in no small way, through the efforts of Secretary Hegseth and the rest of the team, for a waiver of foreign military financing for the Philippines,” Mr Teodoro said.
He said the fund’s reinstatement will be crucial in “re-establishing effective deterrence against unwanted and malign influences that threaten stability – not just in the Indo-Pacific, but across the world”.
Mr Hegseth, both during the joint presser and in his separate meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr before that, reassured the Philippines of the US’ “iron-clad” commitment to the Mutual Defence Treaty – a 1951 deal where both nations agreed to defend each other in case of an armed attack.
“Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese, and that friends need to stand shoulder to shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there’s free navigation,” Mr Hegseth said in his meeting with Mr Marcos.
“Whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognise that your country has stood very firm in that location and in defence of your nation,” Mr Hegseth added, using the term Manila uses for the eastern parts of the disputed sea that lie within the country’s exclusive economic zone, but which China is claiming as its own.
The two defence chiefs announced key agreements during their press conference, including the US’ deployment of the Nmesis anti-ship missile system and unmanned surface vehicles during the annual US-Philippines war games to be held in the South-east Asian country in April to May.
Bilateral special forces training will also kick off in Batanes, the northernmost Philippine island closest to Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island that Beijing considers part of China. Washington and Manila also announced a new bilateral cyber campaign to bolster cyber-security cooperation, as well as plans for increased logistics and defence industrial cooperation.
“The Philippines is prepared, and is, in fact, taking a more active role in rallying our allies to resist any attempt to change international law by acquiescence or fait accompli in the South China Sea,” Mr Teodoro said.
The Straits Times has reached out to the Chinese embassy in Manila for comment, but it has yet to respond.
Despite Mr Hegseth’s assurances to the Philippines, analysts remain cautious on the US’ reliability as a security ally under Mr Trump.
Dr Robin Garcia, head of Manila-based public affairs firm WR Numero, described Mr Hegseth’s visit as a “credibility-building exercise” for Washington.
“Trump has not been a reliable partner to many of America’s strategic allies in recent years. There is reason to remain defensive and not celebrate too early,” Dr Garcia said, noting that with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, it is not in Washington’s interest to engage in a confrontation with China.
Dr Garcia said the Marcos administration should therefore continue strengthening defence ties beyond the US, deepening alliances with Japan, Australia and Canada to ensure a more diversified security strategy.
* Mara Cepeda is Philippines correspondent for The Straits Times.
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