(UPDATE) THE United States and the Philippines have unveiled the creation of a task force to deter aggression in the South China Sea (SCS).
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the “Task Force Philippines” alongside Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday.
“It bears repeating that (the) Mutual Defense Treaty is critical for both of our countries; either of our forces anywhere in the South China Sea it is applicable,” Hegseth said.
“We don’t seek confrontation, but, of course, we’re ready to protect our interests individually and mutually, and that’s why we’re publicly announcing the Task Force Philippines.”
COUNTERING AGGRESSION IN SCS US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (left) shakes hands with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during a ministerial lunch at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 31, 2025. The United States and the Philippines have unveiled the creation of a task force to deter aggression and ‘reestablish deterrence’ in the South China Sea. FACEBOOK PHOTO/SECRETARY TEODORO
The joint initiative, he said, will increase the two nations’ interoperability, exercises, and preparedness “to decisively respond to crisis or aggression, and reestablish deterrence in the South China Sea.”
The two nations, Hegseth added, have completed an Alliance Readiness Action Plan, which will accelerate their key defense priorities in the next two years.
These include enhancing capabilities and adjusting the scope of existing defense and military activities bilaterally and multilaterally with like-minded partners.
In their meeting, Hegseth and Teodoro also discussed key regional security issues, including China’s coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea and the larger South China Sea.
Both officials emphasized the importance of continuous consensus-building efforts among regional partners.
“The US-Philippine alliance should not be seen in isolation, because the alliance, and moving forward now, are based on fundamentals — respect for international law, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Teodoro said.
He pointed out that given the strategic location of the Philippines, advancing these fundamentals not only benefits the country but also the broader push to secure economic supply chains and a stable region.
“It is not only important for both our countries that we interoperate deeper, we deter better, we add more allies, because freedom of navigation, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are not only important for us, but for the whole world,” Teodoro said.
Also in Kuala Lumpur, Teodoro and Singapore Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing reaffirmed their nations’ enduring defense relations and exchanged views on regional and global security developments.
The two officials also discussed ongoing initiatives to further strengthen the Philippine-Singapore defense cooperation.
The two defense chiefs met earlier this year during the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and agreed to maintain regular exchanges and cooperate within the framework of the Asean defense cooperation.
Korea a strategic partner
On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung reaffirmed their countries’ deep strategic partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation in defense, infrastructure and transnational crime prevention.
Marcos and Lee held a meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju.
The two leaders reviewed the progress of the Korea-Philippines Strategic Partnership, which celebrated its first anniversary this year, and committed to elevating it to “a new level of cooperation and mutual support.”
Lee said it was “particularly meaningful” to welcome Marcos to Korea following their first phone conversation in August and shortly after the anniversary of the strategic partnership.
“The Republic of Korea and the Philippines are very special friends,” Lee said, recalling the Philippines’ role in aiding Korea during the Korean War.
“We have maintained a very close relationship of cooperation and support, and we have mutually helped each other over the years. I hope that through your visit, we will be able to take that to another level.”
In response, Marcos congratulated Lee on the successful hosting of the APEC Summit and expressed “deep gratitude for the deep ties that bind our two peoples — from fighting side by side during the war, to providing assistance in times of calamities and protecting the rights and welfare of our nationals.”
The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the defense industry, shipbuilding and infrastructure development, alongside efforts to facilitate smoother operations of Korean companies in the Philippines, according to a news release by the South Korean government.
The meeting also reaffirmed the significance of the Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — which will mark its first anniversary later this year — in boosting economic exchanges and investments.
Marcos and Lee also addressed law enforcement and security cooperation, with the South Korean leader thanking the Philippine government for supporting the establishment of a Korean Help Desk within the Philippine National Police to assist Korean nationals.
Both leaders vowed to step up joint action against transnational crimes, including online scam operations targeting citizens of both countries.
Lee, who has called for regional cooperation among Asean police agencies and the Korean National Police, emphasized the need for “coordinated efforts to root out organized and cyber-enabled crimes across borders.”
As the Philippines prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in 2026, Marcos said Manila would actively support efforts to promote peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
“Next year, the Philippines will chair the Asean summits, and I see a real opportunity for us to promote a rules-based order and a more secure, prosperous region,” Marcos said.
Lee, meanwhile, reaffirmed his commitment to “usher in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula” and welcomed the Philippines’ cooperation toward that goal.
The meeting marked the first in-person engagement between Marcos and Lee, underscoring a renewed effort to fortify bilateral ties amid shared priorities in regional security, digital transformation, and economic resilience.
