Philippines Dismisses Fears of Reduced US Focus Amid Iran Conflict

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) shakes hands with the Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on May 30, 2025. Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Philippines says it is not concerned that the war in the Middle East will reduce U.S. military focus in the Indo-Pacific region.The country’s defense secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, said April 28 he has full confidence in the country’s long-standing security pact with the United States.