Philippines Defense Secretary Criticizes China’s South China Sea Stance

Gilberto C. Teodoro, the Defense Secretary of the Philippines, openly criticized China after receiving a note outlining China’s stance on the South China Sea during his speech at the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea.

While speaking, a man in a white sports coat discreetly placed a sheet of paper on the table beside him. Teodoro paused and addressed the audience, noting, “I have a note here, I think this is from China. And may I read it?” He then read from the note aloud.

China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent, and firm. They have no position. The arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law.

Teodoro is seen alongside other world leaders during the 15th Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul on September 8, 2026. The note referenced the 2016 legal case the Philippines brought against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The South China Sea Arbitration determined China’s unlawful land reclamation in the Philippines’ territorial waters.

China has continuously refuted this ruling and accuses the Philippines of infringing on Chinese sovereignty in these disputed waters. This ongoing dispute has led to several tense standoffs, including an incident where two Philippine Coast Guard ships were reportedly surrounded by Chinese vessels in March 2025.

Teodoro challenged the audience with reflective questions, questioning how to deal with a country that disregards international forum protocols. He contemplated whether the note handed to him was the appropriate manner to address such an issue, highlighting the disrespect shown to the organizers in South Korea and the audience present.

How can you deal with a country in an international forum… disrespecting the organizers of this forum, how do you expect to deal with it civilly?

Teodoro continued his speech by criticizing China’s actions as coercive and aggressive. He remarked that he would keep the paper as a reminder of what he perceives as China’s desperation and ineffectiveness.

Teodoro emphasized the Philippines’ challenges in facing China’s efforts to assert its presence in Filipino territory against international norms and UNCLOS. He concluded by saying the Philippines is forging innovative defense arrangements and alliances to counter these threats.