DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr yesterday said the recent meeting between former President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing is not a cause for concern.
In a TV interview, Teodoro said Duterte’s meeting with the Chinese leader was expected, noting past Philippine presidents have also met with leaders of other countries.
“The former president is a former president. He should be treated with respect and dignity due any (former) president,” he said.
Teodoro also said all engagements with China, on a Track II or non-official basis, are “welcomed.”
“Our engagements with China are multi-polar. It is not only an area of conflict but an area of convergence,” said Teodoro.
On the side of the Department of National Defense, Teodoro said it will continue to build up its capability “to protect the territorial integrity of our republic.”
“Now, to go back to the original question. This (Duterte-Xi meeting) is nothing new because as we know, former President Ramos and (former) President Arroyo have chaired the Boao Forum for several years,” said Teodoro.
“So President Duterte’s visit to China is not unexpected, neither is it a cause for concern,” added Teodoro.
The BOAO Forum for Asia, held annually in Boao, China, serves as a platform for heads of state, business leaders, and academics to discuss issues pertaining to Asia.
Duterte or his camp has not disclosed details of the meeting. Chinese officials earlier said the meeting was meant to improve ties between the two countries.
On the government’s response to China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea, Teodoro there is a need to increase “unilateral capabilities to defend our territory.”
Nevertheless, Teodoro said, the military’s capability upgrade is not aimed at any challenge posed by one country.
“The President has said that not an inch of our territory (will be lost). I am taking this seriously that’s why we are fast-tracking the processes for the proper use our modernization funds, the modernization processes and their integration,” he said.
Teodoro assured the public that the defense and military establishments will continue to exert all efforts to protect the country’s integrity and sovereignty.
