The Philippine government will continue strengthening its defense posture despite ongoing efforts to reset diplomatic and economic relations with China, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said, as tensions in global energy supply highlight the country’s strategic vulnerabilities.

Teodoro emphasized that the country’s military modernization and defense initiatives are independent of diplomatic overtures, even as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. explores improved trade ties with Beijing. He noted that no country should be alarmed by the Philippines’ efforts to enhance its defensive capabilities, describing them as legitimate measures to protect national sovereignty.

The defense chief underscored that longstanding disputes in the West Philippine Sea remain unresolved, particularly with China’s continued rejection of Philippine maritime rights. His remarks came in response to discussions on the possible resumption of joint oil exploration in contested waters, an idea raised amid growing concerns over energy security.

These developments follow renewed global tensions in the Middle East, which have exposed the Philippines’ reliance on oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global oil supply.

Teodoro also pushed back against China’s warning that the expanded Balikatan Exercises could provoke instability, asserting that the Philippines is not escalating tensions. He instead pointed to China’s actions as the primary source of friction in the region, maintaining that the country’s defense measures are a necessary response to external pressures.

The statement highlights the Philippines’ dual-track approach of pursuing economic engagement with China while reinforcing its national defense amid evolving regional and global security challenges.