Hegseth tells Philippines Trump will ramp up China deterrence

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, arrives to meet with Philippine President Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, Pool)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, salute the troops upon arriving at the AFP headquarters Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerard V. Carreon)

Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro welcomes U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth upon his arrival at the Armed Forces Headquarters Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP Photo/Gerard V. Carreon)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, along with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, salutes troops upon arriving at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerard Carreon)

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., center, meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, third left, at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, Pool)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, gestures as he speaks during a meeting at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, Pool)

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, Pool)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, third from left, gestures as he speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, Pool)