A Pentagon official has urged Asian allies to invest more in their defense to deter regional aggressionUnited States Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, right, shakes hands with Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez during a forum in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)United States Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, right, shakes hands with Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez during a forum in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)United States Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, right, shakes hands with Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez during a forum in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)MANILA, Philippines -- A Pentagon official on Monday asked allies in Asia to invest more in their defense and help deter aggression in the region and said the United States remains committed to do the same with “partners, not protectorates.” Colby stayed away from the usual U.S. tirade against China's growing aggression in the region, including in the disputed South China Sea.