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Gibo defends alliance with US after Padilla flags 'too much dependence'

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Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Defense Sec. Gilberto " Teodoro="" in="" a="" hearing="" of="" the="" Committee="" on="" Foreign="" Relations="" June="" Bibo="" Nueva="" España="" Senate="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/09/13/defense-sec-gilberto-_gibo_-teodoro.jpg"/><figcaption>Defense Sec. Gilberto &quot;Gibo&quot; Teodoro in a hearing of the Committee on Foreign Relations Friday, June 16, 2023. Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA (UPDATE)— The Philippines needs to continuously strengthen its alliance with other countries to ensure stability in region, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Wednesday.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/23/senators-commit-to-increase-pcg-budget-to-address-west-ph-sea-harassment">Senators commit to increase PCG budget to address West PH Sea &#x27;harassment&#x27;</a></li></ul>Teodoro was addressing the criticisms raised by Sen. Robin Padilla on what he sees as the government’s dependence on foreign forces, especially those of the United States, in asserting Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.“With the changing threat situation, at saka ang mga kilos ng ating mga katunggali sa West Philippine Sea, kailangan talaga i-leverage natin ang ating mga alyansa,&quot; Teodoro told reporters before facing the Commission on Appointments. &quot;Hindi naman para kung anuman pero to enforce the rules-based international order. At ang UNCLOS,” he also said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/13/23/wow-ha-robin-padilla-incredulous-chinese-coast-guard-not-a-civilian-agency">&#x27;Wow, ha!&#x27; Robin Padilla incredulous Chinese Coast Guard not civilian in nature</a></li></ul>&quot;Kasi ngayon, mas agresibo ang ating mga katunggali,” he stressed.The US is the Philippines&#x27; only treaty ally — under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty — although the country has been increasing its defense engagements with nations like Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea.<div>&#x27;Not a proxy war&#x27;</div>Teodoro called as “the other side’s propaganda” the idea that the Philippines could be entering a “proxy war” by identifying itself with the US and other countries in competition with China.<div>Anti-insurgency operations to continue</div>Meanwhile, Teodoro said the government still needs to address internal threats, including a decades-old communist insurgency that he said has been weakened.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/23/23/robin-padilla-defends-rodrigo-duterte-hindi-niya-ibebenta-ang-pilipinas">Robin Padilla defends Rodrigo Duterte: &#x27;Hindi niya ibebenta ang Pilipinas&#x27;</a></li></ul>“Yung insurgency, batay sa impormasyon na nakukuha ko, nagwi-weaken sya. Ngunit, kahit na talagang significantly weakened &#x27;yan, talagang kailangan patuloy pa rin ang ating operations para sa gayun, hindi na naman umusbong ito,” the defense chief stressed.Teodoro, meanwhile, got the nod of the COA, with the 12-man House of Representatives-CA contingent and majority of CA member-senators endorsing his nomination.Among those who endorsed Teodoro’s confirmation as defense chief were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Congressman Johnny Pimentel who also sits as CA Assistant Minority Floor Leader and CA Vice Chairman, Congressman Ramon Guico, Jr.The CA likewise confirmed to the nomination of the following:<ul>	<li>Erlinda Piñera Uy – Member, Representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to the Judicial and Bar Council, Supreme Court of the Philippines </li>	<li>Kira Christianne Azucena – as Non-Resident Ambassador to Niue, in addition to being Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to New Zealand</li>	<li>Charlie Manangan – as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iraq</li>	<li>Catherine Cruz Sy – Foreign Service Officer, Class IV</li>	<li>Steve Crespillo – to the rank of Lieutenant General</li>	<li>Arvin Lagamon – to the rank of Major General</li>	<li>Ivan Papera – to the rank of Brigadier General</li>	<li>Benedict Balaba – to the rank of Brigadier General</li>	<li>Jose Jesus Lontok – to the rank of Brigadier General</li>	<li>Ramon Flores – to the rank of Brigadier General</li>	<li>Peter Jempsun de Guzman to the rank of Commodore</li>	<li>Col Lloyd Cabangunan – to the rank of Brigadier General</li>	<li>Col Ferdnando Ventura – to the rank. Of Brigadier General</li></ul>Meantime, the ad interim appointments of the following were also confirmed by the CA:<ul>	<li>Nasser Lidasan – to the rank of Brigadier General</li>	<li>Dennis Pacis – to the rank of Brigadier General</li></ul>

Sec. Teodoro was addressing the criticisms raised by Sen. Robin Padilla on what he sees as the government’s dependence to foreign forces.

Gibo defends alliance with US after Padilla flags 'too much dependence'

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Gibo defends alliance with US after Padilla flags 'too much dependence'

Sherrie Ann Torres,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 13, 2023 03:12 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 13, 2023 06:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

senator

Robinhood Padilla

Robin Padilla

Gibo

Gibo Teodoro

WPS

west philippine sea

china

chinese

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