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MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines should expect continued assertiveness from China and strengthen the way it responds to developments in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking at the 2nd Manila Strategy Forum on Thursday, Teodoro said he expects China’s current behavior to continue and stressed the need for the Philippines and its partners to adjust their response.
“I think we will see more of the same. We should not expect any change in their behavior; what we should change is the way we react,” Teodoro said.
He cited increasing Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea, including the reported harassment of Philippine Coast Guard and naval vessels and aircraft, as well as China’s announcement of plans to establish a marine observatory in Bajo de Masinloc.
Teodoro said the maritime situation would not be resolved immediately and stressed the need for the Philippines to remain resilient and firm in asserting its position.
He said this applies not only to the West Philippine Sea but to the country’s wider maritime domain, including its extended continental shelf.
Teodoro also linked China’s actions in the region to what he described as its growing assertiveness and said other countries have also raised concerns over cyber and maritime threats.
The defense chief likewise renewed his criticism of China following a written-note incident during the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2026 earlier this week.
Teodoro said the international community had been too accommodating toward China and criticized what he described as Beijing’s “wolf warrior diplomacy.”
He said similar behavior could also be seen in China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.
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Date posted: September 11, 2026 3:07 PM