Teodoro, a Filipino, says China can exploit the US-South Korean military exercises
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on Monday that China may see the recent reductions in U.S.-South Korean exercises as an opportunity to re-establish itself in the Indo-Pacific. He also said Washington had reassured Manila of its commitments towards the Philippines.
Teodoro, speaking on the sidelines the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul, said that there has been no reduction of U.S.-Philippine activities and that the bilateral and multilateral collaboration involving Manila continues to expand.
Security analysts have been divided over whether the decision by U.S. president Donald Trump to reduce military exercises in South Korea last month has undermined U.S. credibility in Asia. They also wonder if rivals like China might perceive a weakened U.S. resolve.
"It's a possibility," Teodoro said. Teodoro responded when asked if Beijing would be able to take advantage of the situation.
He said that if we are talking about the Indo-Pacific region as a whole then this may be an opportunity for China to assert itself.
Teodoro, however, said that Washington had given "definite assurances" to Manila and that "there was no indication" that changes in South Korea could affect the commitments made under the U.S. - Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila has intensified defence cooperation with the United States, including increased joint exercises and greater U.S. access to Philippine military installations, at a time when tensions have increased with China in the South China Sea.
Teodoro stated that Manila is also "broadening" security ties with its other partners. He said that the Philippines had recently signed agreements with Canada, New Zealand and France. They also signed an agreement for visiting forces with France and were negotiating with Britain a similar agreement.
The chief of defence also accused China relying more on influence operations along with military and maritime pressure.
He said: "It definitely takes advantage of the democratic space to co-opt and use free media to spread its distortive stories."
Teodoro stated that the Philippines is pursuing stronger legislation against espionage, foreign influence and other such activities.
Teodoro was cautious when asked about Marcos' recent comments that there were progress being made towards possible joint oil-and-gas exploration talks with China. He said it would be "doubtful", that any economic collaboration could be isolated from the longstanding sovereignty dispute?in South China Sea.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as its Embassy in Manila, did not respond immediately to a request for comment about Teodoro’s remarks.
STILL REVIEWING SUBMARINES
Teodoro visited Seoul to discuss expanding defense cooperation with South Korea. South Korea is one of the Philippines largest arms suppliers.
As Manila modernises the armed forces, South Korea has provided the Philippines with FA-50 light fighter aircraft, frigates and military equipment.
He stated that the Philippines were interested in "deeper industrial collaboration and emerging defence technology from South Korea", but indicated that an acquisition of a submarine, which has been long discussed, was still some distance away.
He said that the submarine program was still being reviewed, citing concerns over?mission needs and infrastructure required to support such a capability. "I'd say that it is still some time away."
Teodoro stated that concerns over China's actions encouraged closer security co-operation among countries in the region, and could lead to an Indo-Pacific network of interconnected security.
He said, "I think so because China is the driving force behind this."
(source: Reuters)
