SINGAPORE - Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has backed the United States' call for Asian allies to raise defense spending, saying no country can afford to neglect its own military capabilities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Teodoro said it is imperative for all nations to increase defense budgets. His remarks followed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's demand that allies spend 3.5% of GDP on defense.
Teodoro stressed that security partnerships require burden-sharing and that countries cannot rely solely on the US for protection. "It is a two-way street," he said.
He cited the war in Ukraine as a warning: "Ukraine was unthinkable, but it happened, and it could happen anywhere."
Teodoro acknowledged that 3.5% of GDP is difficult for many Southeast Asian economies, but suggested alternatives like technology transfers and closer strategic cooperation.
On the Balikatan military exercises, Teodoro defended their growing scale, noting daily incursions by China into Philippine waters. He blamed China's expansionism for regional tensions, saying, "The tensions here are because of expansionism by China, plain and simple."