Pentagon chief cites Manila as defense burden-sharing example

MANILA, Philippines — United States defense chief Pete Hegseth praised the Philippines’ external defense and military modernization, holding up Manila’s spending increase as part of Washington’s call for allies to carry more of the security burden in the Pacific.

In remarks at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, May 30, Hegseth said the United States was moving away from alliances built on dependence and toward partnerships where allies carry more of their own security weight.

"We need partners, not protectorates," Hegseth said. "We seek alliances built on shared responsibility, not dependency."

Hegseth framed the shift as part of a U.S. strategy centered on deterrence in the Pacific, particularly along the First Island Chain, amid concerns over China’s military buildup and expanding regional activities.

"This is not a burden America can or should carry alone," he said, adding that a favorable balance of power requires allies with "real military strength, real industrial capacity, and real political resolve."

In his speech, Hegseth praised Manila among several other partners for focusing on defense and improving interoperability with U.S. forces.

"We see this same realist mindset from the Philippines. Manila is shifting its focus to external defense and enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces, and it's not just talk," Hegseth said.

He cited this month’s Balikatan exercises, which he described as the largest ever and as having featured joint training involving advanced U.S. capabilities.

Hegseth also pointed to the Philippines’ defense spending under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"The Philippines is also investing more to modernize its military and its coast guard, with President Marcos signing a budget this year that includes a 12% increase in defense spending," he said.

He said the increase would fund the Philippines’ multiyear effort to develop a "modern, technologically advanced, and interoperable force" that can "plug in and fight alongside American war fighters."

The figures. While Hegseth referred to a 12% increase figure, the Philippines' military program actually rose from P35 billion in 2025 to P40 billion in 2026—a 14.3% increase—based on the General Appropriations Act.

Some defense acquisition projects, moreover, may be financed through multi-year unprogrammed appropriations or borrowing.

The Department of Defense's budget, meanwhile, rose from P220.49 billion in 2022 to P271.92 billion in 2025. The biggest year-on-year increase came in 2025, when DND’s budget climbed by about 14.1% from P238.36 billion in 2024.

'Model allies'

Hegseth said the United States would prioritize allies and partners that invest seriously in their own defense.

"We will prioritize working with model allies, those nations who are most capable, clear-eyed and ready to defend their national interests," he said.

For those countries, he said, Washington would move them "to the front of the line" for expedited arms sales, deeper defense industrial collaboration and expanded intelligence sharing.

But he paired the praise with a warning to allies that continue to rely heavily on U.S. military power. 

"For those who believe they can continue to free ride on the generosity of the American taxpayer, hear us now. Those days are over," Hegseth said. — Camille Diola