Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Tuesday said that China is the primary disruptor of international peace in the ASEAN region.
He made this statement at the 35th International Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS) 2024 of the US Indo-Pacific Command in Manila Hotel, prompted by the recent series of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Huwag natin gawin biktima ang Pilipinas, ang susunod ng international law rather pag wagian natin ito, pero kailangan ng kolektibo at consensus strong call out laban sa China, kung hindi tutuloy-tuloy ang China,” he said.
During his speech, Teodoro urged partner nations to call out China’s “illegal actions” in the WPS and expressed the need to broaden up the definition of armed attack in the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US to adopt the current dynamics in the WPS.
“Why don’t we concentrate to the deterrence to MDT, bakit tayo papatalo kung maiwasan natin,” he said adding “Wag tayo macacanalize sa narrow definition of MDT, kasi ayaw natin lagi paulit ulit na armed attack, eh dapat ibroaden natin.”
Teodoro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and US Indo-Pacific Command will discuss the matter on Thursday in Baguio City.
MILOPS is an event that fosters transparent discussion about complex issues impacting international security hosted in Manila from 27-30 August.
