Teodoro calls on allies to support the Philippines’ West Philippine Sea position

Photo from the Department of National Defense. 

By Joe M. Reyes | Date 08-30-2024

MANILA — The Philippines has requested its allies and partners to support its position in the West Philippine Sea in the face of China’s increasing coercive measures, its defense secretary said.

Speaking at the 35th Military Law Operations (MILOPS) annual forum, hosted by the US Indo-Pacific Command, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro asked allies for backing to promote a rules-based international order. 

“Please help the Philippines enforce and uphold the rules-based international order norms of international law, and do not let the Philippines be a victim for standing up to international law,” Teodoro said. 

Teodoro said the Philippines is a test case for the agreed-upon interpretations of the civilized world of international law, particularly the law of the sea. (Also read: Philippines, Germany reject China’s expansionism in the region)

“The Philippines is at the forefront of upholding international law on this side of the world,” he said, reiterating the statement of the US ambassador that the Philippines plays a central role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Teodoro added that nations should adhere to the tenets of international law, especially the United Nations (UN) Charter, amid regional security challenges.

“The repeated transgressions – and I’m not afraid to name them – by China to test how a body of law freely agreed upon, signed by even them, can be shaped or remolded into what they think is their version of international law,” he said.

“The nexus is shaping a version for their own insular interests, which means it’s a zero-sum game. Their game, the world’s loss.” 

In the same forum, he described China as the “biggest disruptor” of peace in Southeast Asia, saying there was a need to call out China to stop its illegal activities in the contested area.  (Also read: Philippines, China reach deal to ease tension in Ayungin Shoal)

“We should not allow China to define what ASEAN centrality means,” he said.

“We should get together in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and protect each others’ sovereign rights and sovereign while settling our internal disputes between and amongst ourselves.”

Teodoro said many countries have already called out China for their aggressions but said these are “insufficient.”

Teodoro said the antidote to the increasing Chinese aggression is “stronger collective multilateral action against China.”