SINGAPORE, 1 JUNE 2025 – Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. on Sunday highlighted that amid “interlocking dynamics that transcend regional boundaries,” nations must endeavor to strengthen cross-regional security cooperation, counter unilateral attempts to undermine the prevailing global order, and rebuild trust in multilateralism.

Speaking before defense and security leaders and experts during a plenary session on cross-regional security interlinkages at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, Secretary Teodoro emphasized the effects of cross-regional trends on the security of the Philippines and the outlook of Southeast Asia. Among these is the strategic competition between the United States and China, which increasingly defines the regional and security environment, and likewise endangers the portrayal of legitimate actions taken by smaller states as being carried out at the behest of major powers.

“As if we are mere pawns with no strategic agency of our own,” said Secretary Teodoro. “In that spirit, I would like to reiterate that our position on the West Philippine Sea is not a function of Sino-American strategic rivalry. Instead, it is caused by the overreach of the Chinese Communist Party.”

He added that the strategic and security effects of disruption of integrated global supply chains and decision-making gridlocks in multilateral organizations prompted the prevalence of networked alliances and minilateralism. Secretary Teodoro also noted that the rise of disruptive technologies brings into stark relief the vulnerabilities of the global infrastructure.

To address these challenges, Secretary Teodoro called for better cross-regional security cooperation through joint strategic dialogues, such as trilateral or quadrilateral summits of regional blocs on shared security concerns.

“To this end, we must strengthen ASEAN and leverage its dialogue partnerships, including those with the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he said. “Another potential area of convergence is the development of shared legal frameworks and cooperative enforcement.”

He also called for reforms in the United Nations to allow broader participation of member states, particularly in the Security Council, adding that “there is a need to curtail the use of the veto, as its exercise may serve as a hindrance to the interests of smaller states, especially those besieged by larger ones.” 

As the international system evolves, Secretary Teodoro said that it should remain grounded on the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Charter, which puts a primacy on the political independence, territorial integrity, and sovereign equality of all States.

“For all its shortcomings, there is no preferable alternative to the rules-based order, especially for the security, prosperity, and survival of smaller states like the Philippines,” he concluded. /END

Reposted from The Official Website of the Department of National Defense