MANILA, Nov. 1 -- The United States and the Philippines have unveiled the creation of a task force to deter aggression and "reestablish deterrence" in the South China Sea (SCS).

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the "Task Force Philippines" alongside Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday.

"It bears repeating that (the) Mutual Defense Treaty is critical for both of our countries, either of our forces anywhere in the South China Sea it is applicable," Hegseth said.

"We don't seek confrontation but, of course, we're ready to protect our interests individually and mutually, and...