As the U.S. presidential election draws near, the Philippines has expressed confidence that U.S. policies in the Asia-Pacific region will remain steady, regardless of the election’s outcome, according to the Philippines’ Defence Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro. Amid increasing tensions in the South China Sea, Teodoro reiterated that the Philippines’ alliance with the United States is rooted in shared security objectives and a firm commitment to uphold international law—a priority given the Philippines’ strategic location and rising concerns over China’s assertive actions in disputed waters.
Teodoro’s statements reflect a fortified Philippine foreign policy approach, focused on strengthening alliances and bolstering defense capabilities in response to China’s increased military activities in the region.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro underscored the bipartisan nature of Philippine-U.S. relations, highlighting that the alliance extends beyond individual administrations in Washington. “Our support for initiatives, bilaterally and multilaterally, is bipartisan,” Teodoro explained, adding that these partnerships rest on “institutional grounds, on foundational grounds,” which ensure continuity.
The Philippines’ confidence in U.S. policy stability is crucial as regional security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific remain fraught with complex challenges. Teodoro’s comments signal Manila’s trust that, regardless of the election results, the fundamental tenets of the U.S. stance on security cooperation in the region will endure. The stakes are high as the U.S. election unfolds, with Democratic incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris facing Republican Donald Trump in a close race. Both candidates have thus far maintained a hard stance on countering China’s influence in the South China Sea, offering reassurance that the alliance will persist without significant policy shifts.
The Philippines finds itself on the front lines of regional security concerns due to China’s activities in the South China Sea, where China claims nearly all waters as its territory, despite competing claims from Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The South China Sea dispute gained renewed prominence following China’s intensified assertive maneuvers, and recent incidents have highlighted the extent of Beijing’s expansionist agenda.
Last week, Indonesia expelled a Chinese coast guard vessel from its waters following interference with an energy survey, while earlier in the month, Vietnam accused Chinese authorities of assaulting its fishermen. “There is a pronounced aggressiveness of China’s expansionist agenda here,” Teodoro noted, linking it to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s bid to reinforce his domestic standing through increased regional control.
Teodoro argued that China’s behavior has inadvertently boosted the Philippines’ prominence in the region’s geopolitical landscape. “Simply put, China has given the Philippines some prominence that in normal terms, if everybody followed the rules of the road, if they didn’t do bad things, then this prominence of the Philippines would not be there,” he stated. “So, it’s all China’s fault right now, because there is a felt need to band together because of their misbehavior that this is happening.”
In 2016, an international tribunal under the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea held no legal basis, siding with the Philippines, which had brought the case forward. China rejected the ruling, however, prompting a series of encounters between Philippine and Chinese vessels as Manila intensified patrols and resupply missions within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This legal basis strengthens the Philippines’ stance and has sparked further regional and international support against Beijing’s territorial claims.
As these maritime confrontations escalate, the risk of wider conflict grows, with the United States bound by a defense treaty to support the Philippines in the event of an armed attack. “The probability of friction or conflict in the West Philippine Sea is there. I cannot deny that,” Teodoro admitted, using the term Manila prefers to describe waters within its EEZ.
The U.S. has clarified its commitment to defending the Philippines if it faces military aggression, but Teodoro emphasized that current joint efforts extend beyond military defense. “What we are doing now with the United States is to build up our combined capabilities to deter such an armed attack from occurring,” he said, alluding to a broader approach focused on stability, rule of law, and enhanced operational readiness.
Beyond its alliance with the United States, the Philippines has also been forging closer ties with regional powers like Japan and Australia. These partnerships include joint military exercises aimed at enhancing the Philippines’ operational capabilities in the event of escalation in the South China Sea, a move Beijing views as provocative. This broadening coalition reflects the Philippines’ strategic pivot from an internal focus to external defense.
Teodoro, who is in his second term as defense chief, is leading a significant modernization program to bolster the nation’s defense posture. His “doable” wish list includes assets like air defense systems, fighter jets, frigates, and corvettes. This expanded arsenal aligns with a more outward-oriented defense strategy and is expected to enhance the Philippines’ ability to respond to maritime threats.
“My conviction has not changed, that there is something that we need to deter, and the only thing that will change that equation is if China changes,” Teodoro said, underscoring the need for consistent and robust defense investments. While the Philippines has received offers for multi-role fighter jets, Teodoro revealed that no suppliers have been shortlisted, hinting that final decisions will prioritize countries aligned with Philippine security interests, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
To support its military modernization, the Philippines is considering alternative financing solutions. Teodoro has been exploring unconventional financing methods and advocating for adjustments to foreign and domestic borrowing limits. “The appetite for investing in national defense is there, and right now there is liquidity in the system that we should and need to tap,” he noted, suggesting a growing support for defense-related expenditures among local and foreign stakeholders.
Teodoro’s push for financial innovation in defense funding reflects Manila’s recognition that strengthening military capacity is essential to counter regional security threats. The Philippines’ efforts align with broader regional strategies, as nations across the Asia-Pacific re-evaluate their defense postures in response to China’s maritime assertions and military modernization.
Teodoro’s statements emphasize a global shift towards collaborative security initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region, with countries responding to shared security concerns by deepening partnerships. The Philippines’ approach is emblematic of a larger trend where nations increasingly rely on both alliances and multilateral frameworks to reinforce the rules-based international order.
The defense chief pointed out that the Philippines’ strategic prominence is a direct result of Beijing’s actions, which have disrupted the region’s delicate equilibrium. In his view, China’s actions have spurred a united response from the global community, especially as incidents in the South China Sea underscore the potential for conflict over maritime rights and resources. This unity, he believes, will be pivotal in ensuring a stable future for the Asia-Pacific region.
