The national security advisers of the Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Manila-Washington alliance during an introductory phone call on Friday, according to the National Security Council (NSC).

NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told reporters on Saturday that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and newly appointed US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz exchanged views on regional security concerns, with focus on developments in the West Philippine Sea.

It was the first official conversation between the two officials since Waltz assumed office.

“NSA Año and NSA Waltz agreed to continue their discussion to include close coordination at the working level,” Malaya said. Waltz reaffirmed the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to the Philippines, a gesture that Año warmly welcomed and appreciated.

Their conversation followed the recent visit to the Philippines of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who reiterated Washington’s full support for its defense commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty and its broader military partnership with Manila.

Filipino and American troops are set to begin the annual Balikatan Exercise on 21 April to further strengthen the interoperability and cooperation between the two longstanding allies.