Teodoro says ASEAN members back PH handling of ADMM-Plus, rejects China’s obstruction claim

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said ASEAN member states supported the Philippines’ handling of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), rejecting China’s accusation that Manila deliberately obstructed Beijing’s participation in the regional security mechanism.

Teodoro said the Philippines’ conduct was not questioned by other ASEAN members, adding that China was the outlier in criticizing the meetings held in Cebu.

“I think if it was about me, then there would be no unanimity except for China. That the ADMM and ADMM-Plus was successful, it did the Philippines credit, it did the DND [Department of National Defense] and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the PNP [Philippine National Police] and BJMP [Bureau of Jail Management and Penology] credit,” the defense chief said in an interview with ANC. 

“All partner agencies worked double-time to make this a success. Also, the people of Cebu Province, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, all those involved, their efforts contributed to the success, and the success was touted by no less than ASEAN member countries, which are the important parts of this, because they are the mechanism of the ADMM,” he said.

“And if China has concerns, they should address it to the ASEAN member states and the plus countries, to include Russia, were very happy with the conduct of the ADMM. So, there is an outlier here,” he added.

Teodoro also turned the accusation of obstruction against China, citing its actions in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal and Panganiban Reef or Mischief Reef.

“Now, to call my acts in any way obstructionism, I mean, what are they doing in Bajo de Masinloc and Mischief Reef? That is not only obstructionism, but that is also more than obstructing—that is already usurping,” he stressed.

In a separate interview with DZMM TeleRadyo, Teodoro likewise said China was the only country complaining about the Philippines’ handling of the ADMM-Plus.

He pointed out that China is a dialogue partner, not a full member of ASEAN, and was nevertheless given the opportunity to express its views on regional and security issues.

“Naging matagumpay na matagumpay. At ‘di ba ‘yung ADMM, dalawa ‘yan—member states, ‘yan ‘yung ASEAN, at plus dialogue partners. Sa lahat ng ‘yan, sila [China] lang naman ang nagrereklamo eh. Wala namang nagrereklamo,” he said. 

“At secondly, sila ay dialogue partner, hindi full member. So, ewan ko kung anong rights ang sinasabi nila. Thirdly, nabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na ilahad ang kanilang saloobin tungkol sa regional and security issues.”

Teodoro also denied China’s claim that several ASEAN countries privately questioned the Philippines’ handling of Beijing’s participation in the ADMM-Plus.

Asked if China’s claim was untrue, he replied: “No. That’s not true. If not, they would have told me directly in a letter addressed to me or a phone call addressed to me. That did not happen.”

According to the defense chief, China’s statements violated the principles of ASEAN solidarity, unity and centrality, stressing that Beijing could not speak on behalf of ASEAN member states.

“For China to talk, you know, it violates a fundamental principle of ASEAN—ASEAN solidarity and ASEAN unity and centrality. No external party can speak for and in behalf of any ASEAN member country. So, China is arrogating unto itself a prerogative of ASEAN and a confidentiality or a process which belongs solely to ASEAN. So, is it now, by making such a statement, trying to subsume ASEAN under its thumb?” Teodoro told ANC.

The Chinese embassy in Manila had accused the Philippines of allowing a “self-serving politician” to abuse the country’s chairmanship and put up obstacles to China’s participation in the ADMM-Plus.

Teodoro maintained that Beijing had been given the opportunity to participate and express its views, while rejecting allegations that Manila deliberately blocked its involvement.