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

Reuters Wires

<p>China has a &quot;deficit of trust and credibility&quot; it needs to overcome in order to mend its fraught defense ties with the Philippines, though any breakthrough in the near term remains unlikely, said the Southeast Asian nation&#x27;s defense secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, on Saturday (May 31).</p><p>Speaking in Singapore, Teodoro said that the threat of China&#x27;s growing military prowess was &quot;undeniable&quot;, echoing comments from his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth.</p><p>Teodoro also spoke of the frustration of dealing with military counterparts who rarely stray from talking points and propaganda and represent an institution that exists to serve the Communist Party leadership.</p><p>The Philippines has been among the most vocal critics of China&#x27;s growing assertion of sovereignty in the South China Sea, in contrast to some of its neighbors like Malaysia, who have adopted a more cautious stance.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/28/first-concert-in-west-ph-sea-successful-despite-inclement-weather-1801">READ: First concert in West PH Sea successful despite inclement weather</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/almost-a-decade-after-tribunal-ruling-another-aquino-keeps-fight-for-west-ph-sea-alive-1531">READ: Almost a decade after tribunal ruling, another Aquino keeps fight for West PH Sea alive</a></div><p>He outlined conditions that would make engaging in a defense sphere with China &quot;plausible&quot;, including the renouncement of their nine-dash line, showing proof of good faith and stopping the use of what he called &quot;subterfuges&quot; to shape narratives to their advantage and &quot;all nefarious activities to subvert&quot; the society.</p><p>China&#x27;s foreign ministry earlier this month urged the Philippines to stop provocations in the South China Sea and officials have frequently accused the U.S. of sowing discord in the region.</p><p>China claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines , Vietnam and Taiwan</p><p>A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal said Beijing&#x27;s claims, based on its historic maps, have no basis under international law, a decision China does not recognize.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/2-chinese-coast-guard-vessels-sighted-from-atin-ito-civilian-mission-ship-send-radio-challenges-0945">READ: 2 Chinese Coast Guard vessels sighted from Atin Ito civilian mission ship</a></div><p>Earlier this month on May 22 the Philippines&#x27; fisheries bureau said the lives of a civilian crew were put at risk during an incident on May 21 with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel while it conducted marine research around a disputed South China Sea reef.</p><p>The Philippine Coast Guard released drone footage showing a Chinese Coast Guard vessel firing water cannons and sideswiping one of the vessels belonging to the Philippines fisheries bureau. </p><p>Another video filmed from onboard the Philippine vessel showed the Chinese vessel moving in and colliding with it while the crew frantically spoke to their Chinese counterparts on the radio.</p><p>The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources condemned what it said was the &quot;aggressive interference&quot; of the Chinese Coast Guard against the Datu Sanday and a second ship in Wednesday’s (May 21) incident, saying its vessels had not previously been subjected to water cannons in the area.</p><p>(Production: Zahra Matarani)</p>

<p>Teodoro also spoke of the frustration of dealing with military counterparts who rarely stray from talking points and propaganda and represent an institution that exists to serve the Communist Party leadership.</p>

Teodoro also spoke of the frustration of dealing with military counterparts who rarely stray from talking points and propaganda and represent an institution that exists to serve the Communist Party leadership.

Teodoro: China needs to overcome 'deficit of trust'

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Teodoro: China needs to overcome 'deficit of trust'

Reuters

Published Jun 01, 2025 02:23 AM PHT

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