Philippines' Teodoro says China could exploit cuts in US-South Korean exercises

Seoul: Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warned on Monday that China might view recent reductions in US-South Korean military drills as an opening to assert itself in the Indo-Pacific region. Teodoro assured Reuters that US commitments to the Philippines had not been altered, despite the US President Donald Trump's decision last month to trim joint exercises with South Korea.

The secretary noted that the US had provided definite assurances to Manila, with no signs the changes would impact the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. Teodoro attributed China's actions to its propensity to exploit opportunities, stating, "If we're talking about the Indo-Pacific as a whole, then it may signal some opportunity for China to reassert itself."

Despite the tensions with China in the South China Sea, Manila has strengthened defence ties with the US, including expanded exercises and greater access for US forces. The Philippines is also broadening security partnerships with Canada, New Zealand, France, and is negotiating with Britain. Teodoro accused China of leveraging democratic spaces to spread its narratives through free media.

He cautioned that economic cooperation with China could be complicated by longstanding disputes in the South China Sea. Teodoro was in Seoul to discuss expanding defence cooperation with South Korea, which is a major arms supplier to the Philippines. While South Korea has provided aircraft, frigates, and other equipment, a joint submarine program is still under review due to mission requirements and infrastructure needs.