At a recent event in Oroquieta City, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. issued a stark warning: future generations of Filipinos may find themselves without access to essential resources in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if the nation does not actively defend its maritime rights.
Urgency of Maritime Resource Protection
If we exhaust those resources and fail to defend the West Philippine Sea, nothing will be left for us. Others will benefit instead.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Defense Secretary
Teodoro highlighted the growing reliance on maritime resources for national development, stating, "The resources we need for development can no longer be found on land. We need to turn to the sea."
- 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone critical for fish and energy resources
- Historical disputes with China complicate resource management
During his speech at the 97th founding anniversary celebrations, he emphasized the importance of fighting for the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Teodoro remarked, "We need to fight for our 200-nautical-mile EEZ in the West Philippine Sea and the larger Pacific Ocean to secure fish, oil, and gas resources for your future."
Teodoro's remarks come amid ongoing tensions with China regarding joint oil and gas exploration in the WPS. He responded to accusations from the Chinese Embassy that he obstructed exploration efforts by clarifying that it was former President Rodrigo Duterte who terminated negotiations in 2022.
The Philippines and China had previously signed a memorandum of understanding on oil and gas cooperation in 2018, but discussions halted without reaching an agreement. Teodoro reiterated that any joint exploration with China would be illegal, citing constitutional issues and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims.