Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 13) — Hastening the upgrade of the country’s defense capabilities would reduce dependence on the United States amid China’s escalating aggression in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Wednesday.
Asked by reporters to comment on Sen. Robin Padilla’s statement that the country is apparently relying too much on the United States, Teodoro said: \”Kaya nga gusto kong bilisan ang ating capability upgrade para hindi tayo umasa ng todo-todo sa iba. Matagal na tayong umaasa eh.\”
[Translation: This is why I want to speed up our capability upgrades so we don’t have to rely so much on others. We’ve been dependent for too long.]
The issue comes amid concerns over the presence of a US reconnaissance aircraft during the successful Sept. 8 resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal. An official of the National Security Council clarified on CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday that the plane’s deployment was not illegal.
In a Senate hearing, Padilla questioned defense officials if the US presence influenced the success of the operation.
Despite China’s continued harassment in the West Philippine Sea, the senator claimed the country had managed without foreign involvement for six years, and said the move may have heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing.
READ: Senator: Did presence of US aircraft contribute to success of Ayungin resupply mission?
\”That was a different situation kasi ngayon mas agresibo ang ating mga katunggali [because our opponents are more aggressive now],\” Teodoro said.
Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal told CNN Philippines that since 2021, China has escalated its actions against Philippine vessels. Some incidents include its use of military-grade laser and water cannon on coast guard ships, and its dangerous maneuvers which put Filipino lives at risk.
But even though Teodoro wants to lessen foreign dependence, he underscored the need to leverage the country’s defense alliances due to Beijing’s escalation.
“With the changing threat situation at saka ang mga kilos ng ating mga katunggali sa West Philippine Sea, kailangan talaga i-leverage natin yung ating mga alyansa. ‘Di naman para kung anuman [and the actions of our opponents in the West Philippine Sea, we need to leverage our alliances, not for any reason] but to enforce the rules based international order at ang UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Teodoro said.
The Philippines shares a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Australia, and a VFA, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and Mutual Defense Treaty with the US.
