Quezon City: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is set to meet his American counterpart, Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth, on March 28 at Camp Aguinaldo. This meeting marks their first face-to-face encounter following a preliminary phone call in February.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DND released an advisory on Monday confirming the meeting’s venue. During their initial phone conversation, Secretary Teodoro extended his congratulations to Secretary Hegseth on his recent appointment, with both officials expressing a positive outlook on enhancing the defense ties between the Philippines and the United States.

During his address at the Western Command’s 49th founding anniversary in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Secretary Teodoro highlighted the primary agenda for the upcoming meeting. “In a few days, my counterpart, the Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America, will pay a visit to the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) and to myself where we will discuss ways to enhance our bilateral and trilateral and squad partnerships,” he stated, emphasizing the focus on strengthening alliances.

The US DOD announced on March 22 that Secretary Hegseth’s itinerary includes a visit to the Philippines following his engagements in Hawaii and Guam, with subsequent travel planned to Japan.