The United States and the Philippines have announced the formation of a new joint task force to enhance their military cooperation and strategic preparedness, particularly in disputed areas of the South China Sea, the Pentagon said Friday.
This initiative was formalized following a meeting between US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the Pentagon statement, this joint force "aims to ensure regional security, freedom of navigation, and stability in areas of common interest."
The two allies agreed to intensify their joint military exercises, intelligence operations and coordinated maritime patrols, as tensions with China escalate over disputed reefs and islets in the South China Sea.
Washington reaffirmed its commitment to defend Manila under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, while Gilberto Teodoro stressed "the need for a common defensive posture to deter any aggression."
The creation of this task force is part of the strengthening of the American presence in Southeast Asia, particularly after the opening of new American bases in the Philippines and the strengthening of military ties with Japan and Australia.
