By Claire Morales True, Managing Editor

MANILA/SINGAPORE – United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met again on the sideline of a ministerial defense forum in Singapore where the expressed concern and discussed ways to tackle  China’s growing assertiveness in South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth, who first met Teodoro in Manila in March, warned of an imminent attack by China of Taiwan as tensions escalate in contested South China Sea waters that has spilled inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone and territorial waters.

Hegseth warned that the military threat Beijing poses “could be imminent” and urged allies to spend more on defense.

In their first meeting, Hegseth reaffirmed US commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, described as the cornerstone of what officials  as the “ironclad” U.S.-Philippines alliance.

Hegseth praised the Philippines for standing firm against China’s aggressive tactics targeting lawful Philippine maritime activities as the US and the Philippines concluded their Balikatan exercises as other air, naval and land military drills followed.

The Balikatan and Kamandag drills showcased America’s deployment of increasingly sophisticated military hardware to the region, including the Typhon missile system and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. The exercises also featured highly capable unmanned surface vessels, signaling a new era of autonomous warfare.

Hegseth and Teodoro said the joint war games enhance deterrence against potential Chinese aggression and committed to continued progress in strengthening defense cooperation between their nations.

The leaders stressed the importance of partnership and transparency in their approach to deterring China. Their discussions focused on practical steps to further enhance alliance readiness across the Pacific theater.

Teodoro, meanwhile, disclosed there is no formal offer yet on a $5.6 billion purchase of American F-16 fighter jets approved in April and the Philippines has not decided on the matter.

 Teodoro said the Philippines hadn’t yet received a formal offer to purchase the fourth-generation fighters. Even if it had, he said, his department doesn’t know whether it wants them.

“As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing on the table for me to consider,” he said in an interview.