Published May 30, 2026 11:16pm + Add GMA on Google Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. The United States has announced the transfer of a US Coast Guard vessel to the Philippines for maritime and territorial patrol operations, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said during the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday.“We are pleased to announce our decision to transfer the 210-foot Reliance-class cutter,” Hegseth said in a report by Chino Gaston on "24 Oras Weekend."Representing the Philippines, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. received the announcement of the transfer.“We will work closely with you in advancing concretely our converged interests. And we will be, as usual, fostering open and stronger partnerships,” Teodoro said.He added that the defense partnership serves as the “linchpin” of broader cooperation in economic security, human security, and development between the two countries.During the dialogue, the Philippines and the US discussed expanding support for territorial defense and safeguarding the country’s exclusive economic zone, as well as strengthening cooperation on shared security interests.In a brief interview, Brawner confirmed that the AFP had spotted a man-made structure at Bajo de Masinloc, which was among the concerns raised during discussions.Teodoro also met with Singapore’s defense minister to discuss a potential visiting forces agreement between the Philippines and Singapore, while a separate meeting was held with South Korea’s defense chief during the event.In Gaston’s report, Teodoro and Brawner were approached for an interview by individuals identified as members of the Chinese media, but they were blocked by DND personnel. The report said the same individuals were allegedly involved in a similar incident during last year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.The Philippines is expected to meet with US War Secretary Hegseth in October during the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, where defense cooperation and regional security will be discussed, according to the report.—Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News