Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. expressed doubts on China’s intent to lead the signing of a treaty that establishes a nuclear weapon-free Southeast Asia.

Teodoro said that China should show its sincerity first by denuclearizing its country and be subjected to inspections by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which serves as the global focal point for nuclear cooperation.

“Sila ang pinakamalaking nuclear arsenal. Mag-denuclearize muna sila o magpa-inspeksyon sila sa IAEA at multinational inspectors para makita natin kung talagang sinsero sila (They have the biggest nuclear arsenal. They should denuclearize first or have themselves be inspected by the IAEA or multinational inspectors so we can see if they are really sincere),” Teodoro said on Friday, July 4.

“Papaano sila magte-take the lead? Tingnan muna natin, magpa-inspeksyon muna sila. Katulad noong COVID noong araw, ayaw nilang magpa-international study. To see is to believe eh (How can they take the lead? Let’s just observe first, let them agree for an inspection. Just like the COVID before, they don’t want an international study. To see is to believe),” he added, referring to the coronavirus disease pandemic in 2019 which allegedly originated in Wuhan, China.

Teodoro's remarks were in response to the Chinese foreign ministry's statements that Beijing was willing to take the lead in signing the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ),

“We stand ready to stay in communication with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries on this matter,” >font-family: Gilroy; display: inline !important;>Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was quoted as saying on Thursday.

But Teodoro said this could all be “pakitang-tao” (all for a show).

According to international organization Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has the third largest nuclear warhead inventory with 600 as of 2025, behind Russia’s 5,459 and United States’ 5,177.

“Pakitang tao lang ito kung wala silang good faith na ipapakita kasi sa ngayon malaki ang deficit of trust and credibility nila. Malaki ang pagkukulang ng tiwala sa kanila hindi lamang ng Pilipino kung hindi sa buong mundo at mismong mga tao na rin nila na sinusupil nila (This is just for show if they have no good faith to demonstrate because right now, there is a huge deficit of trust and credibility on their part. There is a significant lack of trust in them, not only from Filipinos but also from the entire world, including their own people whom they are suppressing),” Teodoro said.

The defense chief has continued to issue fiery statements against China amid its aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.