Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with top U.S. officials on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, reinforcing the strong alliance between the Philippines and United States, citing the need for continued American leadership in global stability.
In his bilateral meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Teodoro welcomed the recent U.S.-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, calling it a sign of Washington’s robust engagement in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the Philippines’ dedication to sustainable peace through strong partnerships.
“It is proof of the Trump administration’s strong commitment to engage the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. We will continue to enhance both our bilateral and multilateral relationships, guided by our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Teodoro said of Hegseth’s attendance.
Hegseth echoed the importance of the alliance, citing the success of the recent Balikatan exercises, which involved 14,000 troops.
Teodoro also met with several U.S. lawmakers, including Representatives John Moolenaar, Brian Mast, Gus Bilirakis, Greg Stanton, and Senators Pete Ricketts and Tammy Duckworth.
“American leadership is indispensable—it provides reassurance and maintains balance of power,” Teodoro said.
Duckworth and other members of the US Congress voiced strong support for the Philippines and praised the contributions of Filipinos in the American workforce, especially in healthcare.
Teodoro assured U.S. officials there would be no change in the Philippines’ security alliance posture and proposed deeper cooperation in joint oil and gas exploration.
Meanwhile, Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. addressed misleading claims made in a China Daily article titled “Philippine military chief dodges questions.”
The article, which was dismissed as propaganda material, used footage captured by journalists who approached Brawner outside formal events.
The military said the so-called journalists violated protocol to produced a one-sided account that undermines the AFP and the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea.