The landmark visit of United States (US) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Philippines was an assurance of America’s continued robust defense and security alliance with the country amid rising geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea (SCS), House Speaker Martin Romualdez said Friday.

Hegseth arrived in Manila late Thursday and will remain until Saturday to discuss with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other key government leaders crucial matters, including America’s security objectives and enhanced military cooperation with the Philippines as they transition to the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Romualdez stressed that the US official’s visit to the country indicates continued solid defense support from America to the Philippines, coming at a “critical time” when the region continues to face aggression and remains embroiled in a long-standing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

“The high-level discussions between Secretary Hegseth and Philippine officials reflect a unified vision: to fortify our defense cooperation and preserve the principles of freedom of navigation and respect for international norms,” the House chief averred.

He expressed hope that Hegseth’s visit would be a “catalyst for renewed collaboration” as the Philippines and US jointly move toward their shared vision of a “free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific” amid the persistent aggressiveness posed by China and its militia vessels.

The US, along with other allies, has been a key partner of the Philippines in condemning Beijing’s dangerous maneuvers over its vast territorial claims in the SCS.

China has territorial claims in nearly the entire SCS, which overlaps with the WPS, notwithstanding a 2016 arbitral ruling that deemed its sovereignty assertion invalid and baseless. The ruling affirmed the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the WPS.

However, Chinese vessels continue to blatantly disregard the verdict by targeting Philippine resupply boats, adding to a series of past provocations, including military-grade laser pointing, missile deployment, and vessel collisions, among others.

The series of aggressive confrontations between the Philippines and China continues to occur despite their pact in July to de-escalate maritime tensions in the contested waterway.

America has remained consistent in assisting and providing military support to the Philippines amid Beijing’s ongoing aggressive actions.

The Philippines and the US are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which can be invoked in the event of an armed attack on Philippine forces, public vessels, or aircraft by an external party.

Under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines gave US troops expanded military access by increasing the number of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites. Signed in 2014, EDCA is a pact between the Philippines and the US that deepens the defense cooperation under the MDT.

Nonetheless, Romualdez suggested that the Philippines-US partnership should go beyond security and defense, focusing also on becoming economic development partners, expanding trade, generating jobs, and creating more opportunities.

Manila is part of Hegseth's first trip to Asia. He will depart the country for Japan and subsequently visit Guam and Hawaii.