Teodoro meets with new US national security adviser

WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, along with Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, met with newly appointed US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz at the White House yesterday, reaffirming the enduring alliance between the Philippines and the US.

The meeting took place two days after US President Donald Trump assumed office.

The Philippines, represented by Teodoro, was among the first countries to engage with the new US administration to discuss critical security matters.

Teodoro met with Waltz under the instructions of President Marcos and in coordination with Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año. Teodoro  extended the Philippines’ congratulations to the US on a successful transition of leadership, emphasizing the shared commitment to peace, stability and mutual security interests in the region.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral defense ties in addressing emerging geopolitical challenges.

Waltz also expressed his appreciation of President Marcos’ efforts to uphold freedom of navigation and a rules-based international order.

Teodoro also met with Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Byers and National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Ivan Kanapathy.

Waltz and his team underscored the need to enhance cooperation with the Philippines and looked forward to increasing mutual security activities in support of a free and global Indo-Pacific, an initiative dating back to Trump’s first presidency.

The engagement marked a significant step in further advancing the decades-long alliance between the Philippines and the United States, signaling a renewed commitment to collaboration under the Trump administration.

Both sides expressed optimism about deepening defense and security cooperation in the years ahead.