(UPDATE) WASHINGTON: United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 3rd assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the US military's support in dealing with China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Austin made the commitment during Marcos' visit to the Pentagon on Wednesday. Austin also echoed President Joe Biden's message that the US' commitment to defend the Philippines, as stipulated in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, "is ironclad." Austin and Marcos' meeting with key defense officials of both governments caps the Philippine leader's agenda to expand discussions on the defense pacts between Washington and Manila. The guidelines were presented to Marcos during his visit to the Pentagon.
