TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Philippine defense secretary on Saturday said the country is seeking closer relations with Taiwan and deeper defense cooperation with countries working to counter Beijing’s “nefarious plans.”
During the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told Bloomberg that Manila is strengthening military relations with Washington’s broad network of allies and defense partners, per CNA. He said closer engagement with partners such as Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan reflects a “convergence endeavor” based on shared objectives.
Teodoro said, “We don’t want to be characterized as a bloc, but as an active defense alliance,” per Bloomberg. He acknowledged differences among countries but said there is full alignment on the need to strengthen deterrence.
The defense secretary’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputed South China Sea reefs, according to Bloomberg. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., security cooperation between the Philippines and the US has significantly deepened.
Marcos warned in May that due to Taiwan’s proximity, the Philippines would inevitably be drawn in if conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Strait.
Teodoro told Bloomberg that, as part of its strategy, the Philippines must maintain its “one China” policy while still developing relations with Taiwan in “non-taboo areas” that do not involve diplomatic recognition. He pointed to an emerging Taiwan-Philippines economic corridor, saying it has “indirect but very important implications for our defense space.”
He added that in the event of a Taiwan Strait conflict, there is “no political objection” to opening safe havens in northern Philippine provinces to shelter civilians. He said the Philippines would be open to those seeking refuge on humanitarian grounds, noting that around 200,000 Filipinos currently live in Taiwan.
The US and the Philippines have expanded the scale of military exercises, including drills on an island near Taiwan, with future exercises set to practice “advanced ways of repelling aggression” across air, sea, and cyber domains, per Bloomberg.
