Hegseth says US to boost ties with Philippines as deterrence against China: ‘Peace through strength’

Soldiersgivenfalsearrestrecordshavebeenstuckinbureaucraticlimboforyears.PresidentTrumporDefenseSecretaryHegsethcouldfixit,lawyerssay. SecretaryofDefensePeteHegsethsaidFridaythattheTrumpadministrationintendstoboostmilitarytieswiththePhilippinestostrengthendeterrenceagainstChineseaggressioninthedisputedSouthChinaSea. TheassurancecameduringameetingwithPresidentFerdinandMarcosJr.inthePhilippines,partofHegseth’striptoAsiatoreaffirmWashington’s“ironclad”commitmenttotheregionundertheadministrationofPresidentDonaldTrump.  “Deterrenceisnecessaryaroundtheworldbutspecificallyinthisregion,inyourcountry,consideringthethreatsfromthecommunistChinese,”HegsethtoldMarcos.“Friendsneedtostandshouldertoshouldertodeterconflict,toensurethatthereisfreenavigationwhetheryoucallittheSouthChinaSeaortheWestPhilippineSea.” “Peacethroughstrengthisaveryrealthing,&