The Philippines and the United States have jointly launched a new bilateral initiative called “Task Force Philippines”, aimed at enhancing cooperation against regional security threats and acts of aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
The announcement was made by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Malaysia.
“Our alliance has never been stronger. Our mutual defense treaty is the bedrock of that. We share concerns about China’s coercion in the South China Sea, particularly recently in Scarborough Shoal,” said Hegseth.
“We don’t seek confrontation. But of course, we are ready to protect our interests, individually and mutually. And that is why, we are publicly announcing the Task Force Philippines here with you today, which will be another step in our cooperation.”
Hegseth explained that the new task force seeks to improve interoperability and preparedness for contingencies between the two militaries, enabling them to “decisively respond to crisis or aggression and re-establish deterrence in the South China Sea.”
For his part, Teodoro stressed that defending international law is not just a national concern but a global imperative.
“Freedom of navigation, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are not only important for us but for the whole world,” he said.
The Philippines continues to deepen its alliances with like-minded nations committed to upholding international law, amid China’s increasing assertiveness within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
At present, the Philippines maintains defense partnerships with four nations — the United States, Australia, Japan, and most recently, New Zealand.
The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and New Zealand was signed on April 30, pending Senate ratification.
Despite this, defense cooperation between Manila and Wellington has continued to expand, following the New Zealand Navy’s first visit to the Philippines in 2023, and its subsequent participation in a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA).