Manila’s defense secretary said the United States had given “clear assurances” that its commitments to the Philippines would continue.
Published September 7, 2026
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has warned that Beijing may see recent reductions in U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises as an opportunity to reassert its position in the Asia-Pacific.
“China is exploiting the gap very quickly,” Teodoro said on Monday, on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue, an annual multilateral security forum, when asked if Beijing could take advantage of the move.
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He added that the US has given Manila “clear assurances” that the US commitment to the Philippines remains unchanged.
He also accused China of abusing democratic institutions to spread a “distorted narrative.”
Last month, South Korea and the United States shortened the duration of their annual joint military exercises and scaled back field training after US President Donald Trump ordered a “significant reduction” in annual military exercises.
The US-led Ulchi Freedom Shield War Games ended six days earlier than originally scheduled.
President Trump cited his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and linked the decision to South Korea’s refusal to join the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran at the time.
Last week, South Korea’s presidential office announced it was considering the United States’ “contribution” to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Blue House later clarified that nothing had been decided before South Korea’s military dispatch, as it would require a decision from the National Security Council, a cabinet resolution, and consent from the National Assembly.
President Trump said he plans to meet with Kim later this year. Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, later issued a statement denying any ongoing communications between the US president and her brother and claiming that despite the warm relationship between the two leaders, the US government continues its “hostile” policies towards Kim’s country.
US, South Korea, and Japan conduct trilateral military exercises
The United States, South Korea and Japan are scheduled to conduct five days of military exercises starting Monday in waters east and south of South Korea’s Jeju Island.
The South Korean military said in a statement that the Freedom Edge exercise is defensive in nature and aimed at responding to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and promoting peace and stability in the region.
North Korea had previously criticized the China-Japan-South Korea exercises as a “reckless show of force” that demonstrated the rivalry’s confrontational stance. North Korea also said the drills included U.S. intentions to surround China and put pressure on Russia.
