Camille Naredo

The Commission on Appointments confirms the selection of Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense in Pasay City on September 13, 2023. 

The Commission on Appointments confirms the selection of Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense in Pasay City on September 13, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CA confirms Teodoro Appointment

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Sunday said he chose not to talk to his Chinese counterpart during the recently concluded 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Malaysia after China issued claims that the Philippines was “blackmailing” the Chinese government.  In a chance interview, Teodoro said China’s defense ministry released a statement saying the Philippines “need to mend” its ways “or suffer the consequences” the day before the defense ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur.“Would you talk to or would you offer to talk to somebody who slammed your country that way? Of course not. I would be willing to talk if there was a semblance of good faith,” Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/1/marcos-jr-hopes-task-force-philippines-will-lower-tensions-in-west-ph-sea-1842">Marcos Jr. hopes &#x27;Task Force Philippines&#x27; will &#x27;lower tensions&#x27; in West PH Sea</a></div>“Kung nagpakita ng sinseridad, kakausapin ko, bakit hindi. Pero kakausapin mo the day before sinasabi bina-blackmail natin ang China? Pagkatapos magbago daw, ‘mend your ways&#x27;? Sampal sa mukha yun. Kaya hindi ko tatanggapin,” he said.Teodoro said he was also following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s statement to “resist unilateral bullying” at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Korea.“Pero bakit kapag tayo ang nagre-resist ayaw nila?” he said. Asked about China’s reaction to the situation, he said there was none.“Hindi ready ang script eh,” he said.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/27/marcos-flags-dangerous-maneuvers-coercive-use-of-tools-in-south-china-sea-1238">Marcos flags &#x27;dangerous maneuvers, coercive use of tools&#x27; in South China Sea</a></div>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this Saturday met Chinese President Xi at the sidelines of the APEC Summit, wherein he assured the leader of Manila’s “partnership and meaningful cooperation” in the region. Later on, Marcos Jr. told Palace reporters he just paid “common courtesy” to Xi.Sought for his comment on the matter, Teodoro said the country’s stance on defense issues remained the same.“Our defense partnerships, our convergence with like-minded countries…. So we cannot put anything into the gesture of President Marcos’ approach to President Xi,” he said“Our policy does not change,” he said.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Sunday said he chose not to talk to his Chinese counterpart during the recently concluded 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Malaysia after China issued claims the Philippines was “blackmailing” the Chinese government.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Sunday said he chose not to talk to his Chinese counterpart during the recently concluded 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Malaysia after China issued claims the Philippines was “blackmailing” the Chinese government.

Teodoro explains reason for not talking to Chinese counterpart in ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting

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Teodoro explains reason for not talking to Chinese counterpart in ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 02, 2025 06:59 PM PHT

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Teodoro

Gilbert Teodoro

West Philippine Sea

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