The Philippines is not the one to blame for the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The defense chief made the remark during a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Anne Collins on the sidelines of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) in Singapore on Saturday, June 1.
In their meeting, Collins told Teodoro that New Zealand is "deeply concerned” with what is happening in the WPS.
In response, Teodoro said: "The Philippines is not the one causing the problem over there.”
The Philippine government has accused Chinese vessels of engaging in dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannon and military-grade lasers, and forming blockade operations to prevent Philippine vessels from accessing key areas in the WPS.
Recently, China has also implemented a new maritime rule empowering its coast guard to arrest “trespassers” in areas it claimed in the South China Sea, including parts of the WPS, from 30 to 60 days even without trial. It also enforced a unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, affecting Filipino fishermen who are depending on the traditional fishing grounds in the WPS for their livelihood.
These acts are dubbed as ICAD or illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities by President Marcos.
Collins noted that with the developing security landscape, New Zealand “has to engage the Indo-Pacific region.”
The two defense officials discussed enhancing their countries’ defense cooperation, particularly in the areas of engineering and logistics.
On Friday, May 31, President Marcos Jr. delivered a keynote address before high-level delegates of the SLD, considered as one of the most significant security and defense gatherings in Asia, where he emphasized that the Philippines is resolute in building up its own defense capabilities, harnessing partnerships, and standing up against attempts to undermine regional stability.
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III lauded Marcos and the Philippines' continuing efforts to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and uphold international law despite volatility and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region at the first plenary session of the dialogue.
Austin, in his remarks on "The New Convergence in the Indo-Pacific," noted how imperative it is for countries to ensure regional stability and ensure that the rule of law must prevail in the South China Sea and beyond.
"President Marcos spoke eloquently last night (May 31) about the rule of law in the South China Sea. And he's right. Every country, large or small, has the right to enjoy its own maritime resources and to freely sail and operate wherever international law allows," Secretary Austin said.
The US defense chief said that the harassment that the Philippines has faced “is dangerous—pure and simple,” as he urged nations with shared interests in the South China Sea to make sure that the key waterway remains open and free.
Austin also expressed optimism on the power of both new and longstanding partnerships, such as the alliance with the Philippines, in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Forging partnerships
Meanwhile, Teodoro also met with Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas who offered defense and military training on cybersecurity, among others, for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Philippine defense chief instructed senior defense officials present during the meeting to immediately explore areas of cooperation for a possible memorandum of understanding to develop Philippines-Lithuania defense cooperation.
Teodoro then invited the Lithuanian people, through Kasčiūnas, to visit the Philippines and for their seafaring companies to tap Filipino seafarers, who are known to be among the most skilled in the world.
Canadian Minister of Defence Bill Blair and Teodoro also reaffirmed the “long-enduring friendly relations" between their two countries.
Blair applauded the Philippines for forging defense and security alliances with countries such as the US, Japan, and South Korea.
"Canada has a major role to play in the Indo-Pacific region," Teodoro said in return.