Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro speaks during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on Sept. 9.KIM KYOUNG-ROK
When asked what the most challenging threat facing the Philippines is, the country's defense secretary did not hesitate before answering: "China."
Gilberto Teodoro identified Beijing's attempts to occupy Philippine territory as the threat during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on Wednesday, while also naming climate change as another challenge.
His remarks came a day after a tense exchange at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, hosted by Korea's Ministry of National Defense from Monday through Wednesday. While speaking as a panelist on Tuesday, Teodoro received a note from the audience insisting that a 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines in its South China Sea dispute with China was "illegal, null and void."
Teodoro slammed the note, saying it appeared to have come from the Chinese side and describing it as a rejection of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and an act of coercion, harassment and aggression.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China's "nine-dash line" — the sweeping historical claim Beijing uses to justify sovereignty over most of the South China Sea — had no legal basis under international law, siding with the Philippines in a case Manila had brought under Unclos. The ruling affirmed the Philippines' rights within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, an area that overlaps with waters China claims. Beijing has continually rejected the ruling as void while carrying on with naval and coast guard activity in waters the tribunal found belong to the Philippines.
As tensions with China persist, the Philippines has been working to bolster its defense capabilities, with Korea emerging as a key defense partner.
Korean-built frigates serve as key vessels in the Philippine navy, while Korea's FA-50 light combat aircraft play a major role in its air force. Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI) KF-21 Boramae is considered a leading contender for the Philippines' multirole fighter program as Manila seeks to strengthen its capabilities in the face of Chinese hostility.
A lawyer-turned-politician, Teodoro previously served as Philippine defense secretary from 2007 to 2009 and returned to the post in 2023.
The JoongAng Ilbo sat down with Teodoro in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss regional security and bilateral defense ties. Below are excerpts from the interview, edited for length and clarity.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro speaks during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on Sept. 9.KIM KYOUNG-ROK
Q. Your remarks on Tuesday drew considerable attention in Korea.
A. It's not because of me. It's because of China. We cannot let these things pass. They cannot be allowed to disrupt orderly proceedings.
China signed [Unclos], but now it does not want to follow it. It's not only a problem between China and the Philippines. It's a problem [between] China and Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. But the Philippines faces it to the greatest degree because we have the biggest maritime boundary with China and we are the only Asean country with a Pacific Ocean boundary.
Japan calls them out, Australia and New Zealand call them out, the Pacific island countries call them out, European countries call them out and the United States calls them out. All of these countries cannot be wrong. Everything is a provocation to China, so they must have a "provocation complex."
How will the Philippines deal with the issue?
Well, we take all the legal options possible. But in the meantime, we have to resist whatever advances they make on an illegal basis. We will do that on our own and with alliances. We need to deter the behavior of China, and we do that with several like-minded countries.
What is the likelihood that the Philippines will select Korea's KF-21 fighter for its multirole fighter program?
I cannot say right now because we are still in the stages of arranging the financing and funding for the multirole program. That is the first step. Once we solve that step, then we can choose an appropriate platform for it.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, center in the front row, poses for a photo with defense officials during the opening ceremony of the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Sept. 8.YONHAP
The Philippines came to Korea's aid during the 1950-53 Korean War. What role does this historic bond play in bilateral security cooperation?
It plays a very important role because that is the foundation of our bilateral cooperation in the most vivid of senses.
The Philippines has already proven that, in terms of upholding international norms, even at the expense of the lives of Filipinos, that we were willing participants for freedom and democracy. I think that sign of good faith and the fact that the Philippine flag was planted on Korean soil by blood is the foundation of our defense relations.
The Philippines suffered under Japanese occupation during World War II. Yet it is strengthening security cooperation with Japan. Has this faced any opposition?
We don't, because Japan has behaved very honorably toward us post-World War II. And it has proven to be a good citizen of the world, unlike China, which has not.
Within the security cooperation network involving the United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, what role do you expect Korea to play?
We have a very robust bilateral relationship, which is something that we need to develop and strengthen further, not only in defense cooperation but in industrial cooperation. Without industrial cooperation, defense cooperation will not be sustainable.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
