Pentagon chief Hegseth to visit Philippines to meet US allies at Asean events

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to the Philippines this week to meet regional allies, the Pentagon announced on Sunday.

The visit comes amid a push by Washington to tighten security ties in the Indo-Pacific ahead of an expected meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in southern China.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over his handling of the war against Iran, as well as concerns that the conflict could divert US attention from the Indo-Pacific region.

The Philippines is hosting the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Manila next month, while the bloc’s defence ministers will meet with regional partners – including the United States – at the end of this month in Cebu.

Manila is looking to use its chairmanship of Asean – which it holds under the bloc’s annual rotation system – to promote broader regional cooperation and strengthen ties with the US and its closest allies.

The Pentagon said Hegseth would attend the defence ministers’ meeting and take part in several bilateral and multilateral engagements “to reaffirm America’s commitment to peace through strength in the Pacific”.

The meetings aimed to “strengthen deterrence, advance key alliances and partnerships, and expand burden sharing across the region”, the Pentagon added.

Hegseth’s visit will take place ahead of Trump’s expected visit to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, where he is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart for the third time this year.

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The trip also comes amid continuing tensions over Manila and Beijing’s competing claims in the South China Sea, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr taking a more assertive stance compared with his predecessor.

The dispute has resulted in a series of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships near disputed features, prompting Manila to strengthen its relations with the US and other allies.

Romualdez also said the meetings may involve the countries’ defence ministers, adding “if it’s an opportunity that is there, I’m sure that they will do it”.

Meanwhile, Washington has confirmed that the Quad – a four-way gathering that includes India but not the Philippines – would also meet on the sidelines of the Asean summit.

Hegseth will be attending a meeting between Asean defence ministers and eight dialogue partners – including the US, China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia and New Zealand – in Cebu this week.

Neither China nor the Philippines have confirmed whether Defence Minister Dong Jun – who attended the last two gatherings – would be present.