Teodoro rejects ‘threat or use of force’ in ASEAN defense meeting

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Thursday rejected “the threat or use of force” at an ASEAN meeting in Cebu attended by China.  

“ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners share the same principles, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force,” Teodoro said during the Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM). 

He also reiterated the need to respect international law and UNCLOS.

“The international order must have a special obligation to protect migrant workers and seafarers in recognition of their vital contributions to the global economy and the way of life of the countries wherein they serve,” added Teodoro.

A landmark 2016 ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague that overwhelmingly sided with the Philippines in its case against China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea. 

The Philippines and several other Southeast Asian nations have territorial claims that overlap with China’s, and altercations occur regularly in the heavily patrolled waterway.

The ASEAN on Thursday met with seven defense ministers from seven other countries, including China, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Japan, Russia, and first-timer Republic of Korea.

Earlier this month, China’s ambassador to Manila had said Beijing could “easily win” a conflict with the Philippines, though it would never choose force — comments that Manila said could be read as a “thinly veiled threat”.

“We should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbor like China in this region,” Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan told local reporters in Manila. 

“If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force, and we love peace,” he said. 

In a response, the Philippine foreign affairs department bemoaned comments it said were “hardly helpful” given the two countries’ complicated ties.

China’s Senior Captain Yang Lei, Defense Attaché to the Philippines, represented Beijing in Thursday’s meeting.

He was personally welcomed by Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga, while Teodoro greeted other guests himself. 

ASEAN Protocol states that it is the host’s country’s discretion to implement its own protocols when welcoming guests from other countries. 

A press conference is slated later Thursday after the ceremonial handover of the ADMM Chairship to Singapore.