The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Speaking to on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Teodoro said the recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had not changed Manila's assessment of the challenges posed by Beijing.
While it was natural for major powers such as the United States and China to seek ways to manage tensions, Teodoro said countries facing direct territorial disputes with China must continue to focus on their own security and resilience.
The Philippines and China have been involved in repeated confrontations in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims vast areas of waters that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several regional states, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
An international arbitration tribunal in 2016 rejected the legal basis of China's expansive claims, but Beijing has continued to assert its position and has dismissed the ruling.
Teodoro said there was no indication that Washington's commitments under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty had been weakened by either the Trump-Xi summit or the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
He said the alliance with the United States was reinforced by growing defence cooperation with countries including Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
According to Teodoro, the Philippines is pursuing a strategy focused on strengthening deterrence, improving defence infrastructure and building resilience against external pressure.
Manila has accelerated military modernisation efforts in recent years, expanded access agreements with allies and increased joint military exercises amid tensions in the South China Sea.
Teodoro dismissed reports that China had offered assistance to the Philippines, including fertiliser and fuel supplies during shortages linked to disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
He said such gestures did not alter Manila's assessment of Beijing's actions in the region and argued that any long-term demonstration of goodwill remained absent.
The defence secretary added that the Philippines would continue to prioritise national security and strategic partnerships while maintaining its current approach toward China.
Teodoro also rejected speculation that he could seek the presidency in 2028 when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term ends, saying he remained focused on his current responsibilities in government.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week but he declared that the cea...
Israel's decision to recognise the so-called Armenian genocide has triggered diplomatic tensions with Azerbaijan, one of its closest strategic partner...
The remains of 10 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide were carried to the Potočari Memorial Cemetery in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday ...
Israel's decision to recognise the so-called Armenian genocide has triggered diplomatic tensions with Azerbaijan, one of its closest strategic partners.
The remains of 10 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide were carried to the Potočari Memorial Cemetery in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday ahead of their burial during the 31st anniversary commemoration.
More than 100 countries now spend more on servicing debt than on education, UNESCO has warned, as it called on governments and international lenders to expand the use of debt-for-education swaps.
Athletes from around the world are competing in the 2026 World Rafting Cup on Kenya's Tana River, with races taking place in the town of Sagana in Kirinyaga County, north of the capital, Nairobi.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
The Welsh rock singer Bonnie Tyler, best known for the global hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart," has died aged 75 in Portugal.
The remains of 10 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide were carried to the Potočari Memorial Cemetery in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday ahead of their burial during the 31st anniversary commemoration.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 11 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
More than 100 countries now spend more on servicing debt than on education, UNESCO has warned, as it called on governments and international lenders to expand the use of debt-for-education swaps.
North Korea condemned the United States and its allies on Saturday for what it called strengthening military blocs and accelerating arms buildups after a NATO summit this week.
Athletes from around the world are competing in the 2026 World Rafting Cup on Kenya's Tana River, with races taking place in the town of Sagana in Kirinyaga County, north of the capital, Nairobi.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment