Defiant Philippine Defense Secretary Vows Unyielding Stand Against Bullying China

China is behaving as a playground bully towards smaller nations, according to the Filipino defense secretary. In an exclusive interview with CNN, he emphasized the need for his country and the international community to confront China's territorial expansion in the South China Sea. "This is a clear example of bullying," stated Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., adding that it goes beyond mere lunch money theft to encompass the confiscation of lunch bags, chairs, and even school enrollment.

Following the Philippines' recent assertive actions to safeguard its territorial claims to shoals in the South China Sea, there is growing concern about potential escalation and miscalculations in the region. These confrontations, which have intensified in the summer, have reignited fears of a broader conflict involving the United States.

The region is widely recognized as a possible trigger for a global conflict, and the recent confrontations have alarmed Western observers who fear that it could escalate into an international incident if China, a major global power, takes more aggressive action against the Philippines, a treaty ally of the United States.

In recent incidents, there have been standoffs between China's coast guard and what Manila claims to be mysterious Chinese "maritime militia" boats, as well as clashes involving small Philippine fishing vessels. Moreover, Chinese water cannons have been used to obstruct the resupply of a stranded Philippine military outpost, and a lone Filipino diver has been witnessed cutting through a floating Chinese barrier.

Teodoro described the Philippines' steadfastness in asserting its rights within its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles, as a battle crucial to the survival and identity of the country. "We are protecting our fishermen, our resources, and the integrity of our archipelagic state... Our existence as the Republic of the Philippines is imperative in this struggle," stated Teodoro during an interview at the Department of National Defense in Manila. "This fight is not solely for us, but also for the generations to come."

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Video purportedly shows Chinese ship firing water cannon at Filipino vessel in disputed waters

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He warned that China will continuously encroach upon our sovereign jurisdiction, rights, and territory if we do not halt their advancements. Furthermore, he emphasized that Beijing's objective is to gain control over the entire South China Sea.

In response, Beijing stated that it is protecting its sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea. It issued a cautionary message to the Philippines, urging them not to provoke or instigate conflicts. Additionally, they accused Philippine fishing and coast guard vessels of unauthorized entry into the area.

China asserts its "indisputable sovereignty" over nearly all 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea, encompassing numerous islands and sandbars, even those located hundreds of miles away from mainland China. Other countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan also assert competing claims in the region.

For the past twenty years, China has undertaken the occupation of various reefs and atolls in the South China Sea, constructing military facilities such as runways and ports. These actions are seen by the Philippines as challenging its sovereignty and fishing rights, and also pose a threat to marine biodiversity in this resource-abundant waterway.

In 2016, a significant maritime dispute was settled by an international tribunal in The Hague, favoring the Philippines. The ruling concluded that China's claim of historic rights to most of the South China Sea lacked a legal basis.

However, China has chosen to disregard this verdict and persistently carries out expansion activities in the region.

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Video released of diver cutting China's floating sea barrier

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Whats at stake

The waterway is crucial for international trade, with trillions of dollars in global shipping passing through it annually. Additionally, it is home to fertile fishing grounds on which many lives and livelihoods depend. Moreover, beneath the sea lies vast reserves of natural gas and oil that competing claimants are competing for. Given that nations are already grappling with inflation due to Russia's war in Ukraine, there are concerns that any disruption in travel and transport of goods in the South China Sea would have a significant impact on the global economy.

A Philippine supply boat navigates around Chinese coast guard vessels in an attempt to impede its progress near Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Aug. 22, 2023. China has provoked widespread anger in the Asia-Pacific region by publishing a new official map asserting its ownership over the majority of the South China Sea, as well as contentious areas of India and Russia. The international community continues to voice official opposition to this move.

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Choking one of the world's most crucial waterways for supply chains, impeding international trade, and causing the global economy to be at the mercy of their actions, Teodoro cautioned that such a scenario would elicit a worldwide response. The defense secretary stressed that smaller nations, including regional allies, depend on international law for their very existence.

Risk of conflict

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Why it matters who owns the seas (April 2021)

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Until recently, the Philippines adopted a more cautious approach towards its massive neighboring country, China. However, ever since assuming office last year, Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr has adopted a more assertive position regarding the South China Sea in comparison to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos has enhanced US relations, which had deteriorated under Duterte, by promoting increased cooperation and joint patrols in the South China Sea. In April, the Philippines disclosed the locations of four new military bases that the US will be granted access to, as part of an extended defense agreement believed to be directed at countering China.

Washington has criticized Beijing's recent activities in the disputed sea and warned that it would intervene in accordance with its mutual defense treaty obligations if Philippine ships faced any armed aggression in that area.

In her testimony before a US House subcommittee on Tuesday, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Lindsey Ford reaffirmed Washington's dedication to the mutual defense treaty.

Ford reiterated that the treaty encompasses not just the Philippine armed forces, but also its coast guard, civilian vessels, and aircraft.

In the disputed South China Sea on August 22, a Philippine supply boat skillfully navigates around Chinese coast guard ships attempting to impede its progress near Second Thomas Shoal, also known locally as Ayungin Shoal.

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The Defense Secretary, Teodoro, expresses concerns regarding the potential escalation caused by the risky and irresponsible actions of Chinese vessels. However, he clearly states that in the event of any incident, whether accidental or intentional, China would be solely responsible for the blame.

He urged global powers to collaborate in pressuring Beijing regarding its actions in the South China Sea, stating that peace and stability in that region would provide solace and reassurance to all.

As part of the Marcos administration's efforts to enhance the Philippines' defense and monitoring capabilities in the South China Sea, Teodoro announced that additional "air and naval assets" have been procured.

"We have ordered more patrol craft, rotary aircraft, and we are considering the acquisition of multi-role fighters," he stated. He further emphasized that this move would significantly improve our air defense capabilities.

This image, taken on April 23, 2023, depicts the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine navy ship stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, as marines assert Manila's territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea. The photo was captured during a 1,670-kilometer (1,040-mile) patrol of the South China Sea, organized by the Philippine Coast Guard, where media outlets, including AFP, were invited to visit multiple islands and reefs. Despite an international ruling that discredits Beijing's claim of sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and a significant portion of the South China Sea, China continues to ignore this decision. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) / This content is intended to complement the AFP SPECIAL REPORT by Cecil MORELLA. (Photo by TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)

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Teodoro advocated for diplomacy as a means of progress, emphasizing the importance of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's adherence to international law. "Filipinos are ready for dialogue, as long as it is conducted openly and transparently, based on established rules. It should not be a means for Beijing to prolong negotiations," he stated.

The Philippines, he said, has "no choice" but to stand up to China because otherwise "we lose our identity and integrity as a nation."

But conflict, he added, was not the answer or desired outcome.

"Standing up doesnt mean really going to war with China, heavens no. We dont want that. But we have to stand our ground when our ground is intruded into."