Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday questioned anew China’s sincerity in resolving disputes peacefully, saying good faith remains the foundation of any manageable and negotiated settlement.Speaking to reporters after meeting Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Văn Giang in Manila, Teodoro compared the Philippines’ relationship with Vietnam and other Southeast Asian claimant states with its interactions with China in the West Philippine Sea.While acknowledging that territorial disputes can be managed among rival claimants, the official said such arrangements depend on mutual trust and respect for rules.“Vietnam is one example. Brunei and Malaysia are other examples. We cooperate with each other on several things,” Teodoro said.“That is why if there is trust, if there is confidence, and if there is no subversive, overt or covert intent to take advantage of one another, then there is no problem. But I cannot say that for China,” he added.Asked whether a similar approach is possible with China, Teodoro expressed skepticism.The secretary explained that China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea raise questions about whether good faith truly exists.“The problem is if you have rivals who do not follow rules and then try to use their size like China against you, yun ang mistrust. Kasi hindi na nga sumusunod sa batas, galit pa,” Teodoro stressed.He continued, “With what they&#x27;re showing now, to me, it&#x27;s not possible. Nothing is impossible, but if their government continues to be this way, then I do not see any good faith. The basis of any manageability or any negotiated settlement is good faith. Is there good faith? That&#x27;s a question I pose to the Filipino people. I will not answer it. For me, I know the answer. I&#x27;ve been articulating the answer. I do not want to sound like a broken record.”The remarks came as the Philippines and Vietnam sought to further elevate their defense partnership amid what Teodoro described as a more volatile security environment.The official said both Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President Tô Lâm had given directives to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.“Maglalabas kami ng joint statement tungkol doon sa pinag-usapan namin pero kailangan, gawa sa nangyayari and based on a more volatile environment, kailangan din mapabilis at umiba na ang anyo ng defense cooperation natin,” Teodoro noted.He went on, “Enhanced means we go to another level where we can exchange information on a deeper level and we can work on activities which were not done before.”According to Teodoro, Manila and Hanoi enjoy strong relations, particularly as fellow claimant states in the South China Sea.“Malakas ang aming pakipag-ugnayan sa Vietnam… marami tayong ASEAN countries na malakas ang ugnayan. Pero sa claimant countries, ang Vietnam ay malapit sa atin at nagkakaintindihan kung paano ang way forward. On a defense base, of course, ang issues natin are various,” he added.Among the areas being considered for deeper cooperation are disaster preparedness and humanitarian response, with both countries frequently affected by the same weather systems.“Gawa ng mga bagyo na una tayong tatamaan, pagkatapos sila normally… Dahil gawa nito, tinitingnan natin ang mga paraan kung paano sa early warning at response magkatulungan lalo,” Teodoro said.While military exercises were not specifically discussed during the ministerial meeting, Teodoro said greater cooperation between the armed forces of both countries is already on an upward trajectory and is expected to continue.“Ngayon, we have to let our people on both sides—sa defense and armed forces—to think more creatively. ‘Yan ang hamon ko sa ating mga tao. Ganun din ang defense minister ng Vietnam—sa mga tao nila,” he said.Teodoro also clarified that specific developments in the West Philippine Sea were not part of his discussions with the Vietnamese defense minister, noting that existing mechanisms are already in place to address maritime concerns between the two countries.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday questioned anew China’s sincerity in resolving disputes peacefully, saying good faith remains the foundation of any manageable and negotiated settlement.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday questioned anew China’s sincerity in resolving disputes peacefully, saying good faith remains the foundation of any manageable and negotiated settlement.

Teodoro questions China’s sincerity, seeks stronger defense ties with Vietnam

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Teodoro questions China’s sincerity, seeks stronger defense ties with Vietnam

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 01, 2026 05:43 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippines

China

Vietnam

Gibo Teodoro

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.