Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines must remain firm in its external defense operations, warning that legal and diplomatic approaches alone are not enough to counter China’s continuing actions in the West Philippine Sea.
Asked about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, Teodoro said the instruction was clear.
“The President’s directive is to be steadfast in our external defense operations,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro made the statement as the Philippines marks the 10th anniversary of its 2016 Arbitral Victory, which upheld the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea and rejected China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
Asked whether there are limits to relying on legal strategies as China strengthens its presence and coercive activities in disputed waters, Teodoro said the Philippines cannot depend on law and diplomacy without deterrence.
“Definitely there are limits to resorting to legal strategies because legal without hardening and without deterrence, and as just with diplomacy with pure without deterrence, will result in accommodation and appeasement. That’s what we do not want,” Teodoro said.
He said China’s actions are not limited to the West Philippine Sea, citing similar concerns in areas involving Japan, the Arctic, and even cyber operations in Europe.
“China is increasing the tension not only here. It’s not only in the West Philippine Sea, against Japan in several areas, even in the Arctic,” Teodoro said.
He also cited information from a former Lithuanian counterpart about Chinese cyber activities in Lithuania.
“We are not the only ones. The world is not immune to their expansionism, so it is a matter not only of my concern but the concern of several other countries in the world,” he added.
Asked whether the Philippines is shifting from purely legal and diplomatic approaches toward strengthening military bases and deterrence capabilities, Teodoro said many countries are now reinforcing their defense posture because of growing uncertainty.
“It is not only the Philippines. Several other countries, whether they have territorial contests or not, are actively strengthening their internal defense capabilities because of the fear of the unknown,” he said.
Teodoro said communication with China remains necessary but must be carefully controlled, especially amid Beijing’s sanctions against him and its continuing actions in the West Philippine Sea.
“Carefully controlled communications are necessary, but negotiations and other activities are not possible unfortunately because of the lack of good faith on their part and a lack of respect for our territorial integrity,” he said.
Asked what China should do to show good faith, Teodoro said Beijing should stop its current actions and leave areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Whatever they’re doing right now, do not do it and get out of where they are,” Teodoro said.
He cited Bajo de Masinloc as an example, saying the shoal is far closer to the Philippines than to China.
“Bajo de Masinloc, for example, is 900 kilometers away from them. It is 100 or so nautical miles from us. What is it to them to get out of our EEZ? They don’t need it. They need it for expansionism,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief said China’s actions form part of a broader “creeping strategy,” pointing also to its activities in the South Pacific.
“What they’re doing in the South Pacific, it’s a creeping strategy as far as I can see it,” he said.