U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says on Friday, March 28, that deterrence is crucial in the Philippines and the region ‘considering the threats from the communist Chinese.’
Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/hegseth-emphasizes-deterrence-threats-communist-chinese-manila-visit-march-2025/
Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/hegseth-emphasizes-deterrence-threats-communist-chinese-manila-visit-march-2025/
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00:00U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says on Friday, March 28, that deterrence is crucial
00:07in the Philippines and the region, quote, considering the threats from the communist
00:11Chinese.
00:12Hegseth says, quote, peace through strength is a very real thing, during a courtesy call
00:18with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacanang, his first visit to the Philippines as defense
00:23chief.
00:24We need to stand shoulder to shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there's free navigation,
00:32whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.
00:37Hegseth also mentions a phone conversation with Trump, saying the U.S. president, quote,
00:42thinks very fondly of this great country, is very committed to the alliance.
00:47He adds,
00:48He and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the partnership.
00:54Economically, militarily.
00:56In welcoming the defense chief, Marcos notes, quote, how complicated geopolitics has become.
01:02Marcos adds that Manila being Hegseth's first stop in Asia is a strong sign of both countries'
01:07commitment to work together for peace in the Indo-Pacific region.