Teodoro defends Philippines’ handling of China defense attaché, cites ‘parity in rank, stature’

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. defended the Philippines’ decision to have an undersecretary receive China’s defense attaché during the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu.

Asked why he did not personally meet China’s defense attaché to the Philippines, Senior Captain Yang Lei, Teodoro said diplomatic engagements should observe parity in rank and stature, adding that an undersecretary receiving a defense attaché was already a gesture of courtesy.

“Well, there should be some parity in rank and in stature. So, I think an undersecretary receiving an attaché, that is already more than courteous,” Teodoro said during a press briefing on the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus on Thursday.

His remarks came after China’s Ministry of National Defense criticized the Philippines’ handling of its defense attaché, claiming Manila’s actions had “seriously undermined the spirit of ASEAN and China’s legitimate rights as a dialogue partner.”

Teodoro rejected Beijing’s characterization, saying China could not speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“In so far as ASEAN is concerned, I do not believe our ASEAN member countries feel that way. If not, they would have let me know. So it is China’s position. It is not ASEAN’s position,” he said.

Teodoro stressed that only ASEAN member states could determine how the bloc’s processes should be characterized, noting that dialogue partners should operate within established rules and limitations.

Despite the diplomatic disagreement, he said China’s representative was still given the opportunity to present Beijing’s position on regional and international security issues, including the South China Sea, during the ADMM-Plus.

The defense chief declined to discuss the reactions of other defense ministers, saying their respective media outlets could report on their interventions.