Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has urged the Philippines and its international partners to adjust their strategies against Beijing’s persistent aggression in the West Philippine Sea, warning that China is unlikely to alter its behavior.
Speaking at the 2nd Manila Strategy Forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Parañaque City on Thursday, September 10, Teodoro emphasized the need for Manila to adapt its strategic counter-responses.
“I think we will see more of the same. We should not expect any change in their behavior; what we should change is the way we react,” Teodoro stated.
The defense chief highlighted Beijing’s expanding footprint in contested waters, including aggressive encounters with Philippine naval, coast guard, and air assets, as well as plans to construct a marine observatory at Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). While Manila has historically relied on quiet diplomacy alongside maritime patrols, Teodoro stressed that long-term resilience and steadfastness are essential to safeguarding national sovereignty.
“As I keep on repeating, we are in a struggle; this is not going to be solved overnight. But I know that it’s not going to be resolved if we are not resilient, if we are not firm on our positions in not only the West Philippine Sea but the whole of the maritime domain of the Philippines, to include our extended continental shelf,” he said.
Teodoro pointed to “Xi Jinping Thought” and a vision of a Sinocentric global order as driving forces behind Beijing’s foreign actions. He urged the nation to stand firm on its maritime rights while bolstering alliances with countries committed to international law.
Addressing his recent encounter at the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), Teodoro slammed Chinese representatives for handing him a document dismissing the 2016 Arbitral Award, labeling the action as an instance of direct coercion.
Recalling how he told the Chinese delegates to “have a little shame,” he criticized Beijing’s aggressive posture and diplomatic approach.
“The world has been coddling them and indulging them too much, and they abuse the courtesy shown them,” Teodoro remarked.
“I said this is already too much. And that was an instinctive reaction, by the way, and nothing great about it, I mean, it’s instinctive, I think, anyone in his or her right mind with a basic sense of values and a basic sense of norms would react,” he added.
Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit backed Teodoro’s stance, commending his firm rejection of Beijing’s intimidation tactics and reiterating that the 2016 UNCLOS ruling remains the legal bedrock of Philippine maritime entitlements in the region.