Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on Monday that Beijing might view the recent scaling back of joint US-South Korea military exercises as an opportunity to reassert pressure in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that China is "very good at exploiting loopholes." He further noted that Washington has given Manila "clear assurances" that the US commitment to the Philippines remains unchanged. This follows an order from US President Donald Trump to "substantially reduce" annual military drills, which led to the US and South Korea shortening the duration of their exercises and reducing field training last month.