Teodoro on VP Duterte’s remarks: No compromise in defending rights in WPS

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said the Philippines should not back down from defending its rights in the West Philippine Sea despite China’s greater military strength, describing the choice between standing up for the country’s rights and giving in as a “false choice.”

Teodoro made the remark when asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statement that the Philippines should avoid picking fights with other countries, particularly China.

The defense secretary told reporters in an interview in Cebu that it is important to point out that the Philippines is not picking fights, only asserting its rights within its waters.

“I mean, the size is also a consideration—disparity of size. Pero kung pinaglalaban mo ay batas at kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon (But if you are fighting for the law and the future generations), I think there is no compromise. I think the Filipinos know that that is a false choice,” he said.

Duterte made the remarks in a recent visit to overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, saying the government should avoid picking fights with other countries because of the complexity of bilateral relations.

“Maraming aspeto ang relasyon ng Pilipinas sa bawat bansa,” the vice president said.

(The Philippines’ relations with other nations has many aspects.)

Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Retired Rear Adm.Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) also stressed that the Philippines is not fighting China but merely asserting its legitimate maritime entitlements.

Trinidad stressed that all Filipinos should recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award, which upheld the Philippines’ maritime entitlements.

He also maintained that the AFP would continue fulfilling its mandate to protect the country’s territorial integrity despite the disparity in military capabilities.

“Given what we have, we are good. Given more, we could perform even better. But it will not stop the AFP from fighting, from standing up, and from supporting our government officials who stand up for our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said on Tuesday.

Teodoro Jr. meanwhile declined to comment on recent national security and foreign policy issues, saying he “will not allow any remarks to be made the subject of disinformation in order to portray a semblance of disunity in government.” 

His remarks followed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ statement describing public commentary by certain government officials on China as “regrettable” and reminding officials to align their statements with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s foreign policy direction.