Philippine Defense Secretary reiterates that supply missions in the South China Sea are not affected by Chinese interference

Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro reiterated that even if China continues to interfere, the Philippines will continue to carry out supply missions in the waters claimed by the Philippines in the South China Sea. The picture shows Teodoro being interviewed by the media when he attended the "Shangri-La Dialogue" in Singapore in May. (AP)

Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro reiterated at a news forum on the 26th that even if China continues to interfere, the Philippines will continue to perform supply missions in the waters claimed by the Philippines in the South China Sea. He also said that the Philippines is rethinking its military deployment, strategy and capability building through the "Comprehensive Archipelago Defense Concept" (CADC), with the goal of projecting power into the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Tiodoro pointed out that as an archipelagic country, the Philippines’ defense thinking cannot only focus on land and internal security. It must shift from “reactive” to “anticipatory” deployment, plan infrastructure, personnel, combat capabilities and equipment in advance, and cooperate with countries with similar concepts to improve overall resilience. He warned that the Philippines’ challenges in defending maritime rights are not limited to maritime confrontations, but also include economic, political and information threats that may weaken the Philippines’ position.

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The Philippine Coast Guard alleged on the 25th that when the Philippines was stationing supplies to the old warship "Sierra Madre" that was stranded in the Renai Shoal, it was blocked by a Chinese coast guard ship and the mission was unable to be completed. The China Coast Guard stated on the same day that the Philippines sent a replenishment ship on the 24th to replenish supplies for illegally beached ships, and criticized the Philippines for provocation during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Tiodoro: Philippines-Japan defense cooperation is advancing rapidly

Tiodoro said that defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan is advancing rapidly. The two sides have strengthened information exchange, collaborative combat capabilities and joint military exercises. Japan's plan to transfer five decommissioned Avukuma-class frigates is also continuing. The Philippines is also deepening defense cooperation with Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

Talking about the continuity of the South China Sea policy after the 2028 presidential election, Teodoro admitted that although President Marcos has institutionalized relevant mechanisms, any new government may change the policy and make the Philippines' efforts to defend the South China Sea lose momentum, which will be "quite dangerous." Regarding whether to invest in the presidential election, Tiodoro only said that "there will always be a time when a decision must be made."

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