US defense chief's visit an assurance at a critical time - Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines  — United States (US) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines comes at a critical time as “complex challenges” continue to exist over the Indo-Pacific region, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Friday.

n a statement, Romualdez said that Hegseth’s presence affirms the strong alliance between the Philippines and the US — ties that are important especially in the pursuit of peace and rule of law over the South China Sea.

“His presence reaffirms the deep, historic, and forward-looking alliance that has long bound our two nations in friendship and shared purpose.  This visit comes at a critical time for the region and underscores our common commitment to upholding peace, stability, and the rule of law — especially amid complex challenges in the South China Sea,” Romualdez said.

“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,” he added.

Hegseth arrived in Manila on Thursday night, which the US Embassy in the Philippines said was due to America’s yearning to build on “unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries.”

READ: US Defense chief Pete Hegseth arrives in PH

Earlier, Hegseth said the US is committed to continuing its “ironclad” alliance with the Philippines.

READ: US Defense chief to Marcos: US committed to ‘ironclad’ alliance with PH 

But aside from shared security concerns, Romualdez believes that the stronger Philippine-US alliance can be an opportunity to foster greater economic cooperation.

“Yet our alliance must aspire to more than just shared security. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I believe this partnership should also serve as a platform for greater economic engagement — expanding trade, generating jobs, and creating opportunities that uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos and Americans alike,” Romualdez said.

“Let us move forward together, not only as allies in defense, but as partners in development — united by democratic values, inspired by common aspirations, and bound by a future we endeavor to shape together.  May Secretary Hegseth’s visit be a catalyst for renewed collaboration, as we work hand in hand toward a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific — one where all our peoples may thrive in peace and dignity,” he added.

WPS struggles

Meanwhile, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Paolo Ortega V (La Union 1st District) said Hegseth’s visit boded well for the country’s struggle against foreign intrusion in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The WPS is a body of water within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which touches part of the South China Sea.

The Philippines has long claimed that the area and its encompassing landforms and underwater resources belong to the country, but China has been aggressive in insisting that the area is part of its nine-dash line territorial claim.

“Secretary Hegseth’s visit is important for our country as it shows the strong and continuous cooperation between the Philippines and the US.  Despite the challenges that we face, especially over the West Philippine Sea, it’s important for us to intensify our security cooperation,” Ortega said in Filipino.

“While we continue to implement an independent foreign policy – which banks on the principle that the Philippines is for Filipinos — we are open to security talks between other allied countries.  This stems from the idea that countries have to help each other to ensure that every country’s sovereignty is safe and protected,” he added.

Tensions in the WPS rose anew  after PCG spotted last February four Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc, including the so-called monster ship — Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG 5901.

Last February 18, a Chinese military helicopter came as close as three meters above a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources plane, which was conducting a maritime patrol of the Panatag Shoal, another sandbar that sits at the WPS.

READ: Chinese PLA Navy chopper gets as close as 3 meters to BFAR plane  

Over Chinese social media platforms, there were also videos showing that the nine-dash line now includes Palawan.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has already clarified that the island of Palawan never belonged to China, noting that the Philippines and its state predecessors have “always exercised sovereignty over our archipelago and over Palawan in particular.”

(2025/03/28-14:47)