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A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship, August 11, 2025, near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File

A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

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WEST PH SEA

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175757529102320250812-bajo-de-masinloc-wps-pcg-BD918 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship, August 11, 2025, near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. <em>Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>SEOUL — Amid growing concerns over regional stability, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has proposed the creation of a working dispute resolution mechanism within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). </p><p>In an interview with ABS-CBN, Teodoro argued that such a framework is essential for the bloc to maintain its centrality and proactively manage security threats without interference from external powers.</p><p>Speaking from Seoul, where he attended the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2025, Teodoro warned that a failure to establish common principles, particularly regarding the South China Sea, could leave ASEAN vulnerable. </p><p>&quot;This deficit would allow, if we are not careful, external powers to exploit and define ASEAN centrality for us, which we must not allow,&quot; he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/11/ph-rejects-china-plan-to-establish-nature-reserve-at-scarborough-1201">PH rejects China plan to establish nature reserve at Scarborough</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>CALL FOR PROACTIVE REGIONAL SOLUTIONS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Teodoro&#x27;s proposal aims to build on ASEAN’s history of managing internal disputes peacefully. </p><p>He pointed to the bloc&#x27;s success in maintaining cordial relations among member states with overlapping claims, a stark contrast to the escalating tensions seen with China.</p><p>&quot;We are reasonable enough to realize that there is no value in fighting against each other,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Therefore, we look towards working, towards settling our overlapping claims and issues with a foundation of trust.&quot;</p><p>He cited the ongoing ASEAN-led ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand as a successful example of this approach in action. </p><p>&quot;This is a litmus test for ASEAN,&quot; he said, emphasizing the need for the bloc to manage its own affairs.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/9/9/ph-to-join-asean-observer-team-to-monitor-cambodia-thailand-ceasefire-marcos-1702">PH to join ASEAN observer team to monitor Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire: Marcos</a></div><p>The Defense Secretary stressed that while ASEAN defense ministers are &quot;fully cognizant&quot; of these challenges, a more formalized mechanism would ensure a coherent and unified response to unilateral actions that challenge the regional order.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PHILIPPINES&#x27; STRATEGIC DILEMMA</strong></div><div> </div><p>Teodoro&#x27;s call for a stronger ASEAN also comes as the Philippines finds itself at a strategic crossroads. </p><p>While committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality, he acknowledged that Manila would resort to &quot;extra-ASEAN arrangements&quot; for its security if necessary.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/9/10/slideshow-nepal-army-bids-to-restore-order-after-deadly-protests-oust-pm-1711">SLIDESHOW: Nepal army bids to restore order after deadly protests oust PM</a></div><p>&quot;The Philippines will resort to extra-ASEAN arrangements for its own security resilience because we feel the need to do so,&quot; he said, adding, &quot;Hopefully, we don’t need to do so, but that’s the reality.&quot;</p><p>He reminded that the Philippines&#x27; treaty alliance with the United States predates the formation of ASEAN, highlighting that the country has longstanding security partnerships outside the regional bloc.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hY2DcdsHvsA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Amid growing concerns over regional stability, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has proposed the creation of a working dispute resolution mechanism within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.</p>

Amid growing concerns over regional stability, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has proposed the creation of a working dispute resolution mechanism within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Defense chief proposes ASEAN dispute resolution mechanism amid regional tensions

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Defense chief proposes ASEAN dispute resolution mechanism amid regional tensions

ABS-CBN News,

Joeffrey Maddatu Calimag

Published Sep 11, 2025 03:32 PM PHT

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Gilberto Teodoro

Department of National Defense

Seoul

ASEAN

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