Gibo Teodoro, Pete Hegseth set to meet on March 28, 2025

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to have a meeting with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Manila on March 28, Friday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Monday.

According to the DND, the meeting between Hegseth and Teodoro will be conducted at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The US Department of Defense earlier announced that Hegseth will visit the Philippines this week. 

In an advisory released Saturday (Manila time), the US Defense Department said Hegseth's visit aimed to "drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific."

"He will travel to the Philippines, where he will advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with U.S. and Philippine forces," the advisory read.

Before going to the Philippines, the US DoD said Hegseth would first visit Hawaii and Guam.

"As part of his first official visit to the region, Sec. Hegseth will first travel to Hawaii to meet with civilian and military leaders from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. From there, Sec. Hegseth will travel to Guam, where he is expected to tour the military facilities and receive capabilities briefs," the advisory said.

After his visit to Manila, Hegseth will then head to Japan and take part in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. –NB, GMA Integrated News