Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro. The two officials discussed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine defense ties and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the alliance, which has supported peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years.
Secretary Austin and Secretary Teodoro welcomed the historic announcements from the 2024 U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Foreign Military Financing for the Philippines and the conclusion of a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap.
Secretary Austin reaffirmed U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights, and the two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows.
Both officials emphasized their commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance in support of a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, including through cooperation with like-minded partners and bilateral initiatives to strengthen information-sharing, enhance the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and invest in U.S. rotational force posture under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
