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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
June 1, 2026 | 12:00am
US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett and BRP Melchora Aquino sail during the third maritime cooperative activity in Panatag Shoal.
North Luzon Naval Command photo
MANILA, Philippines — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the provision of a decommissioned US Coast Guard cutter to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to bolster the Philippines’ ability to protect its interests in the region.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Hegseth met on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday to reaffirm their ironclad commitment to the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty and shared determination to ensure a stable peace in the Indo-Pacific.
The defense chiefs also announced the signing of a new 15-year Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement to streamline secure information sharing.
They also welcomed the conclusion of the 41st Exercise Balikatan, which included groundbreaking training in joint fires, coastal defense and maritime security.
Hegseth and Teodoro reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening deterrence in the South China Sea.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to support the monitoring of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone and expressed continued support for the Philippines’ defense interests.
Teodoro underscored the Philippines’ strong support for the US commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
He said the Philippines stands as a witness to the robustness of US partnerships in the region, noting that such efforts contribute to greater resilience and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Coast Guard conducted a maritime cooperative activity in the waters of Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from May 26 to 30.
Naval and air units that participated came from the AFP, PCG and the US Indo-Pacific Command.
The participating Philippine units included the BRP Antonio Luna, AW109 helicopter, FA-50 fighter aircrafts and Sokol aircraft.
The PCG deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino, while the US participated with the USCGC Midgett and an MH-65 helicopter.
Defense ties with Europe
Teodoro also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening defense and security cooperation with Switzerland and the European Union (EU) during separate bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday.
Teodoro met with European External Action Service Secretary General Belén Martínez Carbonell, during which he expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued engagement and support for the Philippines.
In his meeting with Federal Councilor Martin Pfister, head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport of the Swiss Confederation, Teodoro exchanged views on regional and global security developments and their implications, underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges.
No China ships
The AFP has not monitored organized movement, tactical maneuvers or joint formations involving Chinese ships or aircraft that will constitute a military exercise around Panatag Shoal.
Retired Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesman for the WPS, said the AFP monitored the reported presence of People's Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard vessels in the area.
