DND chief: Stronger defense key for PH to be taken seriously globally

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized that a robust national defense and a credible deterrent posture are essential for smaller countries like the Philippines to be taken seriously internationally.

He stated that without a strong defense backbone, diplomatic efforts alone are insufficient to command respect on the global stage, asserting that the smaller a country is, the stronger its deterrence needs to be.

Teodoro highlighted the importance of partnerships and alliances, specifically mentioning Visiting Forces Agreements (VFAs), which he called the "highest expression of support" for Philippine sovereignty and the 2016 arbitral ruling.

He believes these agreements are crucial for protecting the Philippines' sovereignty and upholding international law amidst regional tensions, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines currently has three active VFAs with the United States, Australia, and Japan, with four more in the pipeline with New Zealand, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom.

He expressed hope for an increasing number of visiting forces partners as a strong endorsement of the Arbitral Award, sovereign rights, territorial integrity, and the nation's core values.