Manila, March 24 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is set to meet his American counterpart, Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth on March 28.

In an advisory Monday, the DND said the meeting will be at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

This is the first in-person meeting between the two defense chiefs, following a phone call in February.

During the phone conference, Teodoro congratulated Hegseth on his appointment as DOD chief even as both officials expressed optimism on the deepening defense ties of the two nations.

During his speech at the Puerto Princesa, Palawan-based Western Command's 49th founding anniversary on Monday, Teodoro said his meeting with Hegseth would focus on further impr...