Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr (centre) arriving in Lal-lo, Cagayan via Philippine Air Force Black Hawk helicopter in this file picture dated Aug 4, 2023. - PAO AFP
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Defence Secretary Gilberto Teoforo admits Philippines needs the help of allies in guarding its territories and in asserting its sovereign rights over areas that are subjects of dispute.
He, however, emphasised Philippines is not dependent on any country for protection.
“This time, we are asserting our sovereign rights, our sovereign jurisdiction in a proactive way, not in a passive way,” the defense secretary said in an interview on ANC.
“Because we feel that being passive just means that our territory will just be eaten up,” he explained.
“So now, we try to proactively assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea. So now we need the assistance,” he confessed.
Teodoro also said Philippines is acting proactively in protecting its maritime interests in West Philippine Sea (WPS)
He said government is doing this by “heavily engaging” not only the United States, but “a coalition of like-minded countries” like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and other Asean countries,.
He pointed this out on Thursday (Sept 14) as questions about the presence of a United States aircraft in the disputed maritime territories emerge.
Senator Robin Padilla earlier asked if Philippines have become dependent on US.
He noted the presence of US plane during the latest resupply mission in the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The mission was led by Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy last August.
The trip towards the World War II-era warship, situated in a low-tide elevation within the country’s exclusive economic zone, was hounded by water cannon attacks by China Coast Guard.
Teodoro also repudiated accusations that the country is relying on US in defending WPS against incursions by China.
“You know, to me, the water cannoning proves that we are not leaning too much on the US,” he said.
“Because if we lean too much on the US, we’ll ask them to escort us there, which we don’t want to do,” he clarified.
“We want to do things our way, and we want a balanced foreign policy,” he added.
