Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro expressed optimism about the enduring strength of the Philippines’ alliance with the United States, underscoring shared security goals as the foundation of the relationship amid the upcoming US presidential elections.
Teodoro emphasized that cooperation between the two countries remains stable and bipartisan, particularly in response to mounting tensions in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Our support for initiatives, bilaterally and multilaterally… is bipartisan, aside from the fact that we are operating together on institutional grounds, on foundational grounds,” he said in an interview.
Teodoro criticized China’s actions in the contested region, attributing the recent surge in international support for the Philippines to Beijing’s “misbehavior.”
Acknowledging the rising risk of conflict in the West Philippine Sea, Teodoro stressed the importance of joint capability-building with the US to deter potential attacks.
He also highlighted the strengthening of defense ties with Japan and Australia, as well as plans to expand the Philippine military and explore innovative financing for defense acquisitions.
Teodoro said China should not complain if countries are banding together to pursue mutual interests in the regional waters in accordance with the rule of law.
“So, it’s all China’s fault right now because there is a felt need to band together because of their misbehavior that this is happening,” the defense chief said, noting Beijing’s “expansionist agenda” which many countries are opposing.
Teodoro mentioned the Philippines received offers for 40 multi-role fighter jets but has yet to finalize a supplier. “There are no shortlists at this time,” he said.
“We will deal with countries strategically aligned with us, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. Those countries that have no alignment with us are at the bottom of the list,” Teodoro added.
To support these acquisitions, Teodoro said he was exploring unconventional financing options and pushing to relax foreign and local borrowing limits.
“The appetite for investing in national defense is there, and right now there is liquidity in the system that we should and need to tap,” he said.
