Key facts
- US Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks spoke in Manila.
- The speech emphasized strengthening US-Philippine defense ties.
- Hicks did not mention Scarborough Shoal during her address.
US Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks delivered a speech in Manila, focusing on the deepening defense cooperation between the United States and the Philippines. The address highlighted the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship in maintaining regional security and stability. However, Hicks notably omitted any mention of Scarborough Shoal, a contested feature in the South China Sea that has been a point of contention between the Philippines and China. The speech underscored the U.S. commitment to its alliance with the Philippines and its role in the Indo-Pacific.