DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr yesterday said it is not possible at present to form in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) an organization similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a security alliance of 30 countries in North America and Europe.
“I don’t think it is possible at this time because of the dichotomies and divergence between country interests,” Teodoro said during a security forum at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.
Teodoro was asked about the formation of a NATO-like group in the ASEAN which aims to promote regional political, economic, and social cooperation through dialogue.
According to the NATO’s website, its purpose is to “guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.”
Teodoro noted the Philippines has a pre-ASEAN defense alliance with the United States, adding “we continue to build alliances with like-minded countries.”
He said other ASEAN countries have built alliances with China.
Also, Teodoro noted that Indonesia, which he said is a friend and ally of the Philippines, is having naval exercises with Russia.
The Philippines has a Mutual Defense Treaty with US that was signed in 1951. The treaty mandates both parties to come to each other’s defense in case of an armed attack.
China has become aggressive in its claims in the contested West Philippine Sea has harassed Philippine government vessels and aircraft and Filipino fishing boats in the past months. The US has denounced China’s acts of aggression and supported the Philippine claim over the area.
“Having an enforcement, an armed enforcement mechanism for ASEAN may be far between,” said Teodoro.
Nevertheless, Teodoro said “getting some reactions regarding the expansive activities and admittedly illegal activities of China in the South China is a good first step.”
“And that’s what we should be focusing on, and what we should be working on, and then let’s see where it goes,” he also said.
“Crossing that line is already a progress in itself insofar as ASEAN is concerned,” added Teodoro.
Teodoro said ASEAN countries are not prevented from having sub-regional arrangements to address security concerns.
“It’s not yet in that state. I do not know if it will evolve into more cohesion insofar as security interests are concerned,” said Teodoro on the NATO-like grouping in ASEAN.
