The Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their long-standing alliance as they marked the 75th anniversary of their Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), highlighting its continued relevance amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.During the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.and U.S.Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized the importance of strengthening military cooperation and regional partnerships.Hegseth recognized the Philippines’ strong support for U.S.initiatives aimed at maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.He also cited the recent Balikatan Exercises as a key example of enhanced military interoperability and readiness between allied forces.

The exercises involved more than 17,000 troops from the Philippines, the United States, and partner countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand.These drills covered multiple operational areas, including air and missile defense, maritime security, and joint combat readiness.The U.S.reaffirmed its commitment to assist the Philippines in monitoring its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a critical issue given ongoing regional disputes.Meanwhile, Teodoro highlighted how partnerships with the United States contribute to stronger deterrence and resilience in the region.Both countries also renewed the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) for another 15 years.This agreement enhances secure communication and cybersecurity cooperation between their armed forces.

Additionally, Teodoro invited Hegseth to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) to further deepen regional defense engagement.

Overall, the anniversary served as a reaffirmation of both nations’ shared commitment to maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific through sustained defense collaboration.