Philippines fully restores military pact with United States Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has reversed his decision to annul a major defense pact with the United States. The move follows the visit of US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin. Philippine soldiers regularly take part in joint military exercises with the US Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has restored a key defense pact with the United States that governs the presence of US soldiers in the Southeast Asian nation, reversing a decision that had caused concern in Washington and Manila. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced Duterte's decision in Manila on Friday during a joint press conference with his visiting US counterpart, Lloyd Austin.