US defense chief wants 'deterrence' in SCS

UNITED States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday discussed with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. the need to reestablish deterrence in the South China Sea in the face of China's aggressive actions. "The leaders discussed the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea, including by working with allies and partners," Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot said during the readout of Hegseth's call to Teodoro. Hegseth also talked about enhancing the capability and capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He reaffirmed the US' firm commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The talks between Hegseth and Teodoro came in the midst of the US-led joint sail with Japan, Australia and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. At the same time, US B-1 bomber planes escorted by Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA 50 jet fighters held bombing and air intercept exercises over the West Philippine Sea Monday. During the 6th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity on Wednesday, the Philippine Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal said Australian ship, the HMAS Hobart, the Japanese warship Akizuki (DD15) and the USS Benfold. AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the joint sail featured operational exercises designed to enhance coordination and interoperability among the participating forces. AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. underscored the importance of the exercise, saying it "demonstrates the strong cooperation and interoperability among our nations' armed forces. Conducted in accordance with international law, the MMCA ensures safe navigation while respecting the rights and interests of all states." A flurry of naval drills surrounding the Philippines involving the United States and its partners has prompted complaints from Beijing, which claims the entire South China Sea and accuses Manila of colluding with others to destabilize the region. The US 7th Fleet based in Japan said forces from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the US conducted a "multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity" within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone on Wednesday. Such drills "strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures," the fleet said in a news release. The maneuvers were taking place within the Philippines' zone, but the fleet gave no details on the exact location. More exercises involving the US, Japan and France were planned for later this week in the Philippines Sea, which China does not claim. That exercise "is designed to advance coordination and cooperation between French, Japanese and US maritime forces while simultaneously demonstrating capabilities in multi-domain operations," the fleet said. The US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, French carrier Charles De Gaulle and Japan's Izumo-class multifunctional destroyer Kaga will take part in the drill starting Saturday, along with their escorts and air wings, the fleet said. France's participation is especially significant because of the distance from its home base, 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) away in Toulouse, commander of the Carrier Strike Group Rear Adm. Jacques Mallard was quoted as saying. Tian Junli, spokesman for China's Southern Theater Command, accused the Philippines of "colluding with outside countries to organize 'so-called joint patrols', " which he said "destabilize the region," Chinese state media said on Thursday. Tian said the Philippines actions were "an attempt to endorse its 'illegal claims' in the South China Sea and "undermine China's maritime rights and interests." He specifically pointed to US-Philippines joint patrols on Tuesday and said China had carried out its own patrols in the region on Wednesday.