• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Teodoro confident PH-US defense ties to remain unchanged

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
February 5, 2025, 12:08 pm

MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. remains optimistic that defense ties between the Philippines and the United States will remain unchanged in the second administration of President Donald J. Trump.

"No, I think it is just a review of the incoming administration in so far as defense is concerned, I'm not worried at all," he said when asked to comment on whether the US pause in foreign assistance will have an effect on the relationship between the two nations.

Teodoro made this comment on the sidelines of New Zealand's Waitangi Day Reception in Makati City Tuesday night.

Further, he said there is no change in US' commitment of support to the Philippines.

"It remains the same. In so far as my talk(s) with the National Security Advisor Mr. (Mike) Waltz is concerned, it remains the same. And we talked about even enhancing existing partnerships," he added.

Teodoro said this commitment refers to "bilateral and multilateral activities" between the Philippine and US militaries.

The DND chief added he would soon talk with his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"I will have a conversation with (US Defense) Secretary (Pete) Hegseth in the coming days, so we'll see, but I'm very optimistic that the trajectory will not change," he added.

When sought for a comment on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s statement that he would only order the recall of the US Medium Range Capability Typhon Missile System once the Chinese Maritime Forces stop its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, Teodoro said China should comply with this to show that it is really a peaceful nation as it claims.

"If China claims to be what it is, a responsible, peace loving, law abiding, purported leader of the world that wants to shape the world, it should get out of our territory, denuclearize its arsenal, remove its ballistic capabilities, and stop their illegal and aggressive activities," he added.

Teodoro said this is the responsibility of any peace loving, freedom loving state.

However, he added Chinese actions seem to indicate that their "words are contrary to their deeds." (PNA)