TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US and the Philippines have announced the formation of a joint task force aimed at deterring what US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as Chinese coercion in the South China Sea, marking the first such initiative in Southeast Asia.

Analysts told Military Times that the task force could help deter Beijing’s attempts to assert its expansive maritime claims by enabling US and Philippine forces to respond faster to Chinese vessels in disputed waters around the Philippines. Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. unveiled the Task Force–Philippines on Oct. 31 during the ASEAN defense ministers’ summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Hegseth said, “We don’t seek confrontation, but of course we’re ready to protect our interests, individually and mutually. And that’s why we’re publicly announcing the Task Force-Philippines here with you today.” He added that the unit will enhance joint operations, training, and readiness, “so that we can decisively respond to crises or aggression and reestablish deterrence in the South China Sea.”

The US Pacific Fleet said the task force will operate across the Philippine archipelago with about 60 personnel led by a one-star general or flag officer. It stressed it does not involve adding combat units, offensive actions, or permanently stationing troops.

Retired Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong told Military Times the task force reflects deepening US-Philippine cooperation, pointing out that the two countries have been treaty allies since 1951. He said major exercises such as Balikatan, earlier joint mechanisms, and a classified 2024 intelligence-sharing pact laid essential groundwork.

Ong said the task force will allow the two militaries to share sensitive intelligence “almost in real time.” Previously, operational data typically had to move between Manila and the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, but situating the task force in Manila enables quicker and more efficient coordination.

Still, he cautioned that meaningful deterrence requires the US and other Philippine allies to commit more vessels to patrol contested areas and potentially base ships in the Philippines. Although the Pacific Fleet ruled out basing US warships there, Ong believes the task force could support expanded American logistical infrastructure.

Euan Graham, a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said faster US responses to South China Sea developments already boost deterrence. He said that China often fills the vacuum after US forces depart exercises like Balikatan, using bases such as Mischief Reef to move quickly and undermine US presence.

Graham added that the task force could stabilize the situation by making US actions “more agile and more responsive so decisions don’t have to be pushed up to INDOPACOM or Washington.” A permanent task force, he said, also reinforces long-term US-Philippine military cooperation regardless of political changes.