Singapore: Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the need for nations to enhance cross-regional security cooperation and counter unilateral actions that threaten the global order. He also called for rebuilding trust in multilateralism amidst "interlocking dynamics that transcend regional boundaries."
According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro's remarks were made during a plenary session on cross-regional security interlinkages at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The event was attended by defense and security leaders and experts. Teodoro highlighted the strategic competition between the United States and China as a significant factor affecting the security of the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He expressed concern that this rivalry risks casting legitimate actions by smaller states as being influenced by major powers.
Teodoro clarified that the Philippines' stance on the West Philippine Sea is not merely a byproduct of Sino-American strategic rivalry, but rather a response to the overreach of the Chinese Communist Party. He noted that the disruption of integrated global supply chains and decision-making gridlocks in multilateral organizations have led to the rise of networked alliances and minilateralism.
He further pointed out that disruptive technologies expose the vulnerabilities of global infrastructure. To tackle these challenges, Teodoro advocated for joint strategic dialogues, such as trilateral or quadrilateral summits involving regional blocs addressing shared security concerns.
Teodoro underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN and leveraging its dialogue partnerships, including those with the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council. As the international system evolves, he stressed the need for it to remain grounded in the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Charter, which emphasizes the political independence, territorial integrity, and sovereign equality of all states.
Teodoro concluded by affirming that despite its shortcomings, there is no better alternative to the rules-based order, especially for the security, prosperity, and survival of smaller states like the Philippines.
