An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | March 27, 2024

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

U.S. Department of Defense

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spoke by phone today.

Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines following the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous obstruction of a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on March 23. He emphasized U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights  and jurisdiction, and reiterated that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries'armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea.

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. They highlighted that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling is final and binding on the Parties and called on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law.

The officials discussed historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine defense ties and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance, which has upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over seventy years. They agreed to bolster bilateral and multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners in the South China Sea and committed to accelerate a number of bilateral initiatives to enhance information-sharing, interoperability, and capability enhancements for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They also underscored both countries' shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in transparency, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK's ballistic missile launch
USINDOPACOM STATEMENT GRAPHIC
Oct. 30, 2024 - We are aware of the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners. The United States condemns these actions and calls on the...

Mangudai 2024
U.S. and Republic of Korea Senior Enlisted Leaders cheer on a ROK soldier during a relay race in the Mystery Event at the Mangudai Challenge at Story Live Fire Complex, ROK, Oct. 22, 2024. The U.S. and ROK forces united for physically and mentally intense training to validate their leadership under pressure, demonstrating the strength of the 71-year-old ROK-U.S. Alliance.
Oct. 30, 2024 - More than 50 senior enlisted leaders from the Republic of Korea and United States militaries engaged in Mangudai 2024, which ran from Oct. 22-24, and included events spanning the lengths of Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Camp...

USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group leads Task Force 70 surface, air forces into Keen Sword 25
U.S. 7th Fleet’s premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) steams in the Western Pacific Ocean during Keen Sword 25, Oct. 29. The embarked staff of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group is coordinating air and surface operations in the exercise. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caroline H. Lui)
Oct. 30, 2024 - The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is leading a contingent of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70 ships, aircraft and personnel participating in exercise Keen Sword 25 from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2024...

Regional Cooperation Framework for U.S.-ROK Alliance Contributions to Security in the Indo-Pacific
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
Oct. 30, 2024 - The United States (U.S.) - Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance remains the linchpin of peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the Indo-Pacific region...

U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting and 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue Fact Sheet
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
Oct. 30, 2024 - During the 56th U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) on October 30, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Yong Hyun advanced numerous...